Assessment of Ontario's New Black History Curriculum: A Historian's Perspective
A historian of Black Canada gives a report card on Ontario’s new mandated Black history education
The Conversation
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In February 2026, Ontario's Ministry of Education announced new mandatory curriculum expectations for teaching Black Canadian history in Grades 7, 8, and 10, set to take effect in September 2026. Despite this progress, a historian critiques the curriculum for lacking depth and essential topics, giving it a grade of 'D' for its implementation.
- 01New curriculum for Black Canadian history to be implemented in September 2026.
- 02Historian Natasha Henry-Dixon critiques the curriculum for missing key topics.
- 03Two significant topics were removed from the Grade 10 curriculum.
- 04The curriculum lacks detailed guidance for teachers unfamiliar with Black history.
- 05The revision process has been criticized for its lack of transparency.
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In February 2026, during Black History Month, Ontario's Conservative government announced the introduction of mandatory curriculum expectations focused on Black Canadian history for Grades 7, 8, and 10, effective September 2026. Historian Natasha Henry-Dixon, who has over 20 years of experience in teaching and curriculum development, assessed the new curriculum and awarded it a grade of 'D.' She argues that while the changes represent progress, they lack substance and omit critical topics that could enhance students' understanding of Black Canadians' contributions over the past 400 years. Notably, the curriculum has removed important subjects such as the No. 2 Construction Battalion, an all-Black military unit from World War I, and Black History Month itself. Henry-Dixon emphasizes the need for more comprehensive coverage and better guidance for educators, many of whom have not taught Black history before. She calls for a more transparent revision process and greater collaboration with experts to ensure that future iterations of the curriculum are more inclusive and informative. The new expectations mark a significant step forward for Black history education in Ontario, but much work remains to be done.
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The new curriculum aims to educate students about the contributions and history of Black Canadians, potentially fostering a more inclusive understanding of Canadian history.
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