Division of Academic Performance
- Wauwatosa School District
- Curriculum
Instructional Approach
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The Wauwatosa School District is committed to providing a curricular experience to students that does not discriminate, indoctrinate, or attempt to persuade a student to adopt a specific philosophical perspective.
- While themes of diversity, inclusion, and equity are clearly taught in several English and Social Studies courses at the high school level, the content is presented in a fashion that encourages students to formulate their own perspectives.
- Facts are the foundation of the instruction presented in the Wauwatosa School District. Theories, philosophies, and concepts are not presented to students as fact.
- Counter perspectives to theories, philosophies, and concepts are equally presented to ensure equality of intellectual opportunity.
We do not teach students to adopt any single point of view. Rather, we teach students the importance of the pursuit of knowledge and the value of understanding and assessing multiple perspectives.
- Facts are the foundation of instruction provided by the Wauwatosa School District.
- Varying perspectives are presented to students in a factual manner. Students are encouraged to develop and share their own opinions after thorough assessment of those perspectives.
- Specifically related to controversial instructional issues, the School Board has developed Policy 2240, which states in part that, “...consideration of controversial issues has a legitimate place in the instructional program of the schools. Properly introduced and conducted, the consideration of such issues can help students learn to identify important issues, explore fully and fairly all sides of an issue, weigh carefully the values and factors involved, and develop techniques for formulating and evaluating positions.”
It is our goal that all students are college and career ready when they graduate from the Wauwatosa School District.
- It is our duty to provide all students with a high-quality education and to support all students throughout their educational journey as they work to embody our Vision of a Graduate. Specifically, we strive to ensure all students have the ability in a postsecondary environment to:
- Effectively communicate their point of view on particular issue
- Understand diversity, embrace empathy, and display compassion toward others
- Critically think and problem solve around difficult issues
Frequently Asked Questions
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Do you teach critical race theory or aspects of the 1619 project?
The Wauwatosa School District follows a curriculum aligned with state and national standards. It adheres to practices that are inclusive of all students and their families. Specifically, themes of diversity, inclusion, and equity can be clearly identified in several of our English and Social Studies courses at the high school level. Our teaching staff is aware of and aligned with the district’s expectations for instruction and instructional materials.
The 1619 Project provides a perspective on the impact of the slave trade in American history. The 1619 Project is not an endorsed district resource, nor has it been prohibited by the district at this time. As with any supplemental resource, approval of any additional materials must be granted by the building principal, in conjunction with the Director of Elementary Education or Director of Secondary Education.
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What is the District's instructional stance on critical race theory?
Instructionally, we believe it is important that our students learn about history from a variety of perspectives.The Wauwatosa School District encourages students to develop their own opinions after thorough assessment of multiple perspectives presented in the classroom.
Facts are the foundation of instruction provided by the Wauwatosa School District. Equally important in the instruction of these facts is to allow students to think critically and openly about their own perspectives and positions. It is inappropriate for any institution to present a theory or opinion and attempt to “sway” students to adopt one perspective.
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Which policies, if any, are in place to keep children of the district protected from ideological indoctrination at school?
Students are encouraged to develop their own opinions after thoroughly assessing a variety of perspectives. Instructors are strictly prohibited from introducing only one side of an intellectual argument without offering the counter perspective(s). The exchange of diverging views are grounded in fact and students are encouraged to evaluate the facts and formulate their own opinions.
Failure to structure discussion in this fashion is in conflict with the teacher evaluation standard of (1) instructional delivery, (2) development of a welcoming learning environment for all students, (3) instructional planning, and (4) professionalism. In short, failing to provide multiple perspectives would be in violation of institutional expectations for instruction in the Wauwatosa School District.
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Is the district accepting—now or in the future—funding or grants to teach critical race theory or aspects of the 1619 Project?
At this time, the Wauwatosa School District has not accepted any funding to teach critical race theory or aspects of the 1619 Project. Further, the district is not considering accepting any funding to use critical race theory or the 1619 Project as supplemental or core instructional materials.
To reiterate, if instructional materials are deemed as primary source “core” instructional materials, they must be approved and funded through a formal affirmative vote of the School Board. At the elementary level, materials that are deemed supplemental must be approved by the building principal and the Director of Elementary Education or Director of Secondary Education, and also must be listed in the course guides prior to the use of said materials.
