Black Studies Scholar at UCLA Creates New High School Textbook on Black History

In many high schools African-American history is often an afterthought that is marginalized into brief discussions each February during Black History Month. American history textbooks often touch on black history but there are few that deal with the subject in a comprehensive way.

Lisbeth Gant-Britton, the student affairs officer of academic programs in African-American studies at the University of California at Los Angeles, has developed a high school textbook on African-American history. The new Holt African-American History, published this month by Holt, Rinehart and Winston, is a softcover workbook in which students post notes, take quizzes, and complete activities by writing in the book. Lessons include the history of African-American contributions to American culture, society, and government.

An online interactive version of the textbook is also available where students can take virtual field trips to key sites in African-American history and hear audio recordings of historical moments in black history.

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