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The Genocide Education Project
51 Commonwealth Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94118
(415) 264-4203
[email protected]
www.GenocideEducation.org
www.TeachGenocide.com
Contact: Raffi Momjian ([email protected])
JOIN US ON FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/genedpro
GENED AND CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION WORKING TOGETHER
Teacher survey and joint projects initiated
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - The Genocide Education Project (GenEd) and the
California Department of Education have initiated a working relationship
aimed at expanding instruction of the Armenian Genocide to more schools
across California. Through the efforts of Murad Minasian, the
Armenian-American community liaison for the Superintendent of Public
Instruction, Tom Torlakson, GenEd is collaborating with the
Superintendent's office on a long-term strategic plan to insure that
students in the state's public high school system have the benefit of
lessons on the Armenian Genocide and the pattern of genocides that
followed it.
Although California law requires instruction on the Armenian Genocide,
particularly during 10th grade World History courses, many social
studies educators are unaware of the mandate or lack the appropriate
teaching materials and training to carry it out. Torlakson was made
aware of the problem while campaigning for the office of Superintendent
last year, and he vowed to work on ways to solve it. As a preliminary
step, Torlakson assigned his staff to work with GenEd to develop and
administer an online survey, gathering information from high school
educators about the extent of instruction about the Armenian Genocide in
their classrooms.
"Working with the Superintendent's office has been very encouraging,"
said Raffi Momjian, GenEd's Executive Director. "He and his staff
demonstrate a commitment to understanding how efficiently the Armenian
Genocide is being taught, the obstacles teachers face, and devising ways
to bring this subject to students more effectively."
The online survey was composed by GenEd and disseminated by the
Department of Education to schools and district offices in October. Many
respondents reported spending minimal time and resources on teaching the
Armenian Genocide, but expressed a willingness to include more
instruction if offered training and appropriate teaching materials.
Momjian and Minasian met with Torlakson to discuss a variety of options
for reaching teachers and addressing their needs.
"It was reassuring to learn of the various teaching resources and
training The Genocide Education Project provides to help teachers meet
the requirements on teaching about the Genocide," said Minasian. "The
Armenian-American community strongly supported Superintendent Torlakson
in the campaign. We must now help provide his office real solutions for
making sure the Armenian Genocide is taught across the state. Having an
organization like The Genocide Education Project to fill that gap is an
essential part of the formula."
"We should take all possible steps to make sure our history is taught as
accurately and completely as possible," said State Superintendent of
Public Instruction Tom Torlakson. "I commend the Genocide Education
Project for informing me about their concerns about the inconsistent
manner in which the Armenian Genocide, and other genocides, are
currently taught. I look forward to continued discussion and research
that will enrich our understanding of this tragic event."
The Genocide Education Project is a nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3)
organization that assists educators in teaching about human rights and
genocide, particularly the Armenian Genocide, by developing and
distributing instructional materials, providing access to teaching
resources and organizing educational workshops.
####
For story and photo(s), go to:
http://www.genocideeducation.org/pr/2012/01_04_2012.htm
Photo Caption:
Murad Minasian (Left) and Raffi Momjian, GenEd Executive Director
(Right), at meeting with Superintendent Tom Torlakson
51 Commonwealth Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94118
(415) 264-4203
[email protected]
www.GenocideEducation.org
www.TeachGenocide.com
Contact: Raffi Momjian ([email protected])
JOIN US ON FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/genedpro
GENED AND CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION WORKING TOGETHER
Teacher survey and joint projects initiated
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - The Genocide Education Project (GenEd) and the
California Department of Education have initiated a working relationship
aimed at expanding instruction of the Armenian Genocide to more schools
across California. Through the efforts of Murad Minasian, the
Armenian-American community liaison for the Superintendent of Public
Instruction, Tom Torlakson, GenEd is collaborating with the
Superintendent's office on a long-term strategic plan to insure that
students in the state's public high school system have the benefit of
lessons on the Armenian Genocide and the pattern of genocides that
followed it.
Although California law requires instruction on the Armenian Genocide,
particularly during 10th grade World History courses, many social
studies educators are unaware of the mandate or lack the appropriate
teaching materials and training to carry it out. Torlakson was made
aware of the problem while campaigning for the office of Superintendent
last year, and he vowed to work on ways to solve it. As a preliminary
step, Torlakson assigned his staff to work with GenEd to develop and
administer an online survey, gathering information from high school
educators about the extent of instruction about the Armenian Genocide in
their classrooms.
"Working with the Superintendent's office has been very encouraging,"
said Raffi Momjian, GenEd's Executive Director. "He and his staff
demonstrate a commitment to understanding how efficiently the Armenian
Genocide is being taught, the obstacles teachers face, and devising ways
to bring this subject to students more effectively."
The online survey was composed by GenEd and disseminated by the
Department of Education to schools and district offices in October. Many
respondents reported spending minimal time and resources on teaching the
Armenian Genocide, but expressed a willingness to include more
instruction if offered training and appropriate teaching materials.
Momjian and Minasian met with Torlakson to discuss a variety of options
for reaching teachers and addressing their needs.
"It was reassuring to learn of the various teaching resources and
training The Genocide Education Project provides to help teachers meet
the requirements on teaching about the Genocide," said Minasian. "The
Armenian-American community strongly supported Superintendent Torlakson
in the campaign. We must now help provide his office real solutions for
making sure the Armenian Genocide is taught across the state. Having an
organization like The Genocide Education Project to fill that gap is an
essential part of the formula."
"We should take all possible steps to make sure our history is taught as
accurately and completely as possible," said State Superintendent of
Public Instruction Tom Torlakson. "I commend the Genocide Education
Project for informing me about their concerns about the inconsistent
manner in which the Armenian Genocide, and other genocides, are
currently taught. I look forward to continued discussion and research
that will enrich our understanding of this tragic event."
The Genocide Education Project is a nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3)
organization that assists educators in teaching about human rights and
genocide, particularly the Armenian Genocide, by developing and
distributing instructional materials, providing access to teaching
resources and organizing educational workshops.
####
For story and photo(s), go to:
http://www.genocideeducation.org/pr/2012/01_04_2012.htm
Photo Caption:
Murad Minasian (Left) and Raffi Momjian, GenEd Executive Director
(Right), at meeting with Superintendent Tom Torlakson