Lakewood Board Of Education Wants More Inclusive Curriculum

LAKEWOOD, OH — The Lakewood Board of Education has challenged the state to create a more culturally inclusive curriculum.

At the July 20 board meeting, a resolution was passed demanding the Ohio Department of Education revise current core content standards to be more inclusive. The resolution authorizes Lakewood administrators to start discussions with the department.

“We as a board believe that all of our students should have a sense that their people had an important contribution to where we are today," said Linda Beebe, Board of Education member.

The resolution urges the Ohio Department of Education to revise its Core Content Standards so "all Ohio public schools students may fully explore and gain understanding of the important contributions that all groups and cultures have made to our society."

The resolution also asks Lakewood administrators and faculty to begin revising local courses to better reflect the diversity of cultures that have contributed to the U.S.'s history.

Two Lakewood High social studies teacher, Chuck Greanoff and Joe Lobozzo, presented a request to add elective courses on African American and Native American history. The teachers argued adding these courses to the curriculum would provide multiple lenses to view American history.