In a letter from McGraw-Hill released by U.S.-based Korean interest group Echo-Korea, the publisher addressed calls from students to include more Korean content. (Image: Echo-Korea)
SEOUL, April 4 (Korea Bizwire) — Inspired by Korean American students’ efforts, one of the major American education publishers McGraw-Hill says it will consider adding more Korean culture and history to social studies textbooks used in in both primary and secondary education.
In a letter from McGraw-Hill released by U.S.-based Korean interest group Echo-Korea, the publisher addressed calls from students to include more Korean content.
“We will share your students’ thoughts with our Academic Design (editorial) team. We have an ongoing commitment at McGraw-Hill to provide academically and educationally sound instructional materials, and we highly value the insight that our customers and the public bring to discussions of our content,” the publisher wrote.
McGraw-Hill wrote in response to a letter previously sent by a group of Korean American students who contacted major educational publishers in the U.S., calling for academic opportunities to share a deeper understanding of Korea alongside other friends.
The students pushe for topics ranging from Bulguksa Temple, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the Korean War to Hunminjeongeum, a document that brought into this world the Korean alphabet system.
The group consisting of students from elementary schools, middle schools and high schools has also written a letter to the California Department of Education, which has authority over textbooks used up until the 8th grade.
It’s the first time a group of Korean American students have sent letters to the state education department and textbook publishers, and the group’s efforts have been met with a positive response so far.
Inspired by Korean American students’ efforts, one of the major American education publishers McGraw-Hill says it will consider adding more Korean culture and history to social studies textbooks used in in both primary and secondary education. (Image: Echo-Korea)
As state education departments set out the curriculums, based on which publishers make textbooks in the U.S., it is crucial that textbook publishers provide content in the proportion specified by the state’s guidelines.
“As the California Department of Education’s curriculums for social studies were reformed in 2016, and included more Korean content, it’s important that publishers reflect the change in their textbooks,” said Echo-Korea.
“Even though well-made textbooks can mean nothing in the hands of untrained teachers, there is hope. We plan to continue our work to include more Korean content (in U.S. textbooks).”
M.H.Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.om)
