According to Dr. LaGarrett J. King’s research, only 8-9 percent of class time is spent on African American History in K-12 History classrooms in the United States. At Seneca Valley School District, a predominantly white public school, African American History is briefly taught with minimal context and detail. Students are only being exposed to surface level information regarding black history while vital information is being omitted. The current social climate in our society has exposed the lack of education and knowledge on African American History, and the necessity for listening, learning, and understanding.

Current and former African American students have had the misfortune of dealing with racially insensitive comments and actions at Seneca Valley School District by classmates, faculty, staff, and administration. We believe that Seneca Valley School District should implement a mandatory African American History course for grades K-12, AND should offer more employment opportunities for minorities in faculty, staff, and administrative positions.

This implementation would help combat the issues of racism we face, embrace the need for diversity in the education system, and help educate ALL students about the importance of African American history while teaching them how to respect their minority peers and superiors.

Please sign this petition and display your support moving forward toward fulfilling this initiative.