Baseline Essays

The Portland Public Schools’ Board of Education is committed to quality education for all students. Our school district is staffed by individuals who are committed to excellence in education. The African-American Baseline Essays are but one part of a larger product to be developed to fulfill the Board of Education’s goal:

…to develop in all students a better understanding and appreciation of the history, culture, and contributions to        society of different ethnic groups and cultures.

The Baseline Essays provide information about the history, culture, and contributions of Africans and African-Americans in the disciplines of Art, Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and Music and should be used by teachers and other district staff as a reference and resource just as adopted textbooks and other resources are used.

Dr. Asa G. Hilliard, III (an educator and psychologist) who has gained national and international recognition for his work with large urban school districts in the areas of student achievement, special education, and psychological development, has been the primary consultant to the African-American Baseline Essays project. He is a member of the American Psychological Association, and Association of Black Psychologist, and currently holds the Fuller E. Calloway Chair at Georgia State University.

Each of the Baseline Essays has been author by an individual who is both knowledgeable about the specific discipline and recognized as an expert on African and African-American history. In addition, the essays have been circulated and reviewed by many individuals and groups (i.e., the Desegregation Monitoring Advisory Committee, the Multicultural/Multiethnic Education Task Force,Curriculum Department Subject Matter Specialists, and the African-American Curriculum Consultants).

The Curriculum Department, though its Multicultural/Multiethnic Education Office and the Curriculum Department and Services Unit, will support the in servicing of the African-American Baseline Essays with:

– Staff inservice sessions

– Lesson plans

– Video tape presentations by the authors of the Baseline Essays

As Superintendent of the Portland School District, I commend the Curriculum Department and the African-American community for working together to finalize the African-American Baseline Essays. Special thanks are due to Ms. Carolyn M. Leonard, our coordinator of Multicultural/Multiethnic Education, for her professional dedication to the effort. These essays have already gained recognition in other school districts and I am confident that our staff will use the information to work toward full implementation of the Board of Education’s goal.

Dr.Matthew Prophet

Superintendent

See On the Portland Plan for the interview with Dr. Matthew Prophet on the Baseline Essays.

Acknowledgements

Multicultural/Multiethnic Education Office

The Staff

CAROLYN M. LEONARD

Coordinator of Multicultural/Multiethnic Education

HERMAN A. WASHINGTON

Curriculum Administrator

JOY HICKS

MC/ME Education Teacher on Special Assignment

JUDY MADDEN

MC/ME Education Teacher on Social Studies Cadre

CAMILLE HINMAN

MC/ME Education Office Secretary

ABELARDO ERIC VAN BLARICOM

MC/ME Education Office Student Assistance

(Grant High School)

CARLOS R. TAYLOR

Director of Curriculum