Brookline School Leaders Exploring Possible Improvements To Unique History Course

BROOKLINE, MA — The School Committee held a lengthy discussion about the potential future expansion of a unique social studies course during its meeting on Thursday, Feb. 26.

Brookline High School’s Social Studies Curriculum Coordinator and teacher Jen Martin presented the details of “World History: Identity, Status, Power” to the Committee and its potential growth. The course became a part of the district’s curriculum in 2019 as a required course for all freshmen to take. It has the goal of being more engaging and relevant to the students by examining its three namesake principles, presenting multiple perspectives on, and relating it to present day life despite being a study of pre-modern world history.

Martin detailed an in-depth study that educators will conduct of the course in order to determine any changes that might be necessary in the future to maximize student success and engagement. WHISP currently offers tiered assignment options within the course, however Martin said some students have not been motivated enough to select more challenging options which ultimately makes it difficult to decide what level courses students should enroll in the next year. Martin presented five different restructuring options for WHISP that officially create an Honors level distinction for the class. The possible changes presented by Martin included making the course Honors level by default for all students, giving students the opportunity to opt-into additional requirements in order to earn honors credit, have different levels taught within the same classroom, with designated honors assessments, or split the course into two different levels and offer both standard and honors versions of it.

“It’s the only common academic experience in the high school,” Martin said.

She added that students who start in a standard level course are likely to remain at that level throughout their high school career.

“It has to be for the kids who are deeply loving this topic and to let them run as fast and as far as they could go,” School Committee Member Mariah Nobrega said. “Let’s treat them like the intellectuals they can be in their areas of interest.”

Committee Member Dr. Bob Weintraub echoed that sentiment by saying that it is just as important to honor and focus on students who are excelling as it is to help those who struggle more.

Superintendent of Schools Bella Wong said that history is special and different from all other subjects.

“Social studies is about who we are, who we choose to be, how we decide to self-govern, how we convene,” Wong said. “One of the things that really supports inclusivity is shared experience… I would not like to lose this opportunity for building this shared experience.”

She added that she is open to changing a heterogeneous experience for the class regardless if it benefits the students.

Martin emphasized that if any of the changes to WHISP were implemented it would most likely take multiple years.

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