A new Southeast Asian history curriculum is in the works for California schools

The Orange County Department of Education is in the process of developing a statewide curriculum focused on Southeast Asian heritage and history.

Dubbed the “Southeast Asian Model Curriculum Project,” OCDE — in collaboration with community input and local researchers — is curating three model curriculums centered on the histories, cultures and refugee experiences of Cambodian, Hmong and Vietnamese Americans. The curriculum will include lesson plans, primary source documents, planning resources, teaching strategies and professional development activities to assist educators, said Ian Hanigan, an OCDE spokesperson.

Once developed, the curriculum will be available for grades kindergarten through 12 but will not be mandatory for any schools, Hanigan said. But schools, should they teach these subjects, will be able to rely on the model curriculum for resources.

“Each model curriculum will present ideas, lessons, examples and resources for school districts to consider as they develop their own coursework,” said Hanigan. “It will live on a website that can be accessed by educators and searched by content standards. The curriculum may be used as part of history, social studies or language courses or included in a district’s ethnic studies program.”

One portion of the model curriculum, called the “Hmong History and Cultural Studies Model Curriculum,” will delve into the history and migration of the Hmong population across Laos, Thailand, Vietnam and China. This will highlight the contributions and sacrifices made by the Hmong and other Southeast Asians who served in the “Secret Army” in Laos, a CIA-led operation during the Vietnam War.

In parallel, the “Cambodian American Studies Model” will incorporate various media formats presenting perspectives on the Cambodian genocide, including oral testimonies from survivors. For the development of this portion, the OCDE is collaborating with organizations such as the Asian Youth Promoting Advocacy and Leadership group, the Center for Empowering Refugees and Immigrants and the non-profit Cambodian Family.

Similarly, the “Vietnamese American Experiences Model Curriculum” will explore pivotal events such as the fall of Saigon in 1975 and include discussions on Vietnamese boat people and Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces members and the circumstances leading to the resettlement of Vietnamese people in the U.S.

OCDE is aiming to complete the curriculum by spring 2024 and start implementation around 2025, said Hanigan.

Model curriculum projects are initiated by laws mandating state development of curricula for specific subjects, serving as guides for educators by outlining content, skills and learning objectives across various grade levels. The California Department of Education has a few model curricula in place, such as human rights and genocide, ethnic studies and the life of César Chávez.

The Southeast Asian heritage model curriculum was born out of state legislation in 2018 from Sen. Janet Nguyen, R-Huntington Beach, and the state later allocated $1.2 million for development.

“I think it is important in Orange County, especially around Little Saigon in Westminster, because it helps friends, neighbors and children understand the history,” said Nguyen. “Once we understand each other’s history and our differences, it is when the community becomes better and works together.”

Orange County is home to just over 700,000 Asian Americans and about 10,000 Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders, according to 2020 Census data.

“I don’t want future generations to go through what I had to go through by just figuring out things; I want them to learn,” Nguyen said.

California’s Department of Education in 2022 tasked OCDE, alongside Humboldt and San Diego counties’ education departments, to spearhead the curriculum development.

​​​​To do that, OCDE has hired educators, scholars and others with Cambodia, Hmong and Vietnamese heritage to compile perspectives and stories to add to the curriculum.

Additionally, OCDE has been regularly holding engagement sessions to hear community feedback and input since 2022. During these engagement sessions, attendees can participate in a focus group discussion aimed at fostering open and meaningful dialogue, said Hanigan.

“This format allows for an equitable sharing of voices, as we believe it’s essential that everyone has the opportunity to contribute their perspectives to this important project,” said Hanigan.

In addition to facilitating discussion, OCDE will provide resources to aid in curriculum development.

“This project is a collaborative effort, and it’s the contributions from individuals like those attending our session that will ensure its success and relevance,” said Hanigan.

The next engagement session is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 17 and will focus on the Vietnamese portion of the curriculum. This session will take place at the Vietnamese Heritage Museum located at 13962 Seaboard Cir. in Garden Grove. OCDE asks those interested in attending to sign up online.

To find the full list of engagement sessions, visit OCDE’s website.