The “A Century of Challenge and Change: The Filipino American Story” curriculum was developed out of a multicultural framework. Its aim is to highlight the historical and cultural experiences of Filipino Americans within a multicultural and global context by emphasizing ethnic pride, cultural connections, critical thinking, and community activism. The curriculum strives to reach Dr. James Bank’s highest forms of multicultural curriculum reform: the transformative and social actions approach. The social studies curriculum is transformed to view universal concepts from multiple perspectives, including the Filipino perspective. Students are encouraged to make cultural connections and to critically think about what they learn. They question whose voices and experiences are traditionally represented. It is not meant to replace mainstream history, but to expand it to be more inclusive of diverse perspectives. By presenting a more representative and balanced perspective of history, all students become contributors, not mere consumers of history.

Finally, this curriculum inspires both ethnic pride and a sense of community in the classroom. Lessons are exploratory, activity-based and cooperative. Developing individual pride and community spirit becomes a powerful force for achieving social action and spurring activism within our community.