September 11, 2001 Curriculum
First Comprehensive Program on 9/11
People remember exactly where they were when the World Trade Center was hit by terrorists in 2001. Now, students may study the infamous event from a historical perspective.
Schools Testing New 9/11 Curriculum
The new curriculum was unveiled at a hotel only a few blocks from Ground Zero on Sept. 8, 2009. Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, family members and college professors met to give the world a curriculum taught through videos, interactive exercises, and lessons. One lesson uses Google Earth software to monitor and track terrorist activity.
Giuliani stated, "This is one of the critical subjects on which young people should develop some ideas and thoughts. They’re going to have to live with this for quite some time. It gives young people a framework in which to think about Sept. 11, all that it meant and all that it means to the present." Giuliani added that the curriculum not only has historical value but will help students gain perspective on current threats of terrorism and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. [1]
New York City is testing the 9/11 curriculum along with six states:
- California
- New Jersey
- Alabama
- Indiana
- Illinois
- Kansas.
9/11 Curriculum Will be Emotionally Challenging
September 11th was a horrific event for the citizens of New York City and the United States to endure. President Bush was secretly transported to safety at Offutt Air Force Base in Omaha, NE where the Strategic Air Command monitored activity all over the world. All commercial aircraft was grounded with U.S. citizens stranded in cities and foreign countries. Americans were terrified that more terror was to come.
The curriculum will not minimize the events of that day. "We’re not sugarcoating the event. We’ve included images that are challenging," says Anthony Gardner, the executive director of the Sept. 11 Education Trust. Gardner lost a brother in the World Trade Center attack.
Why the Curriculum was Created
There was a concern by survivors that the event would not be remembered and remembered accurately. The nonprofit Sept. 11 Education Trust is run by families of 9/11 victims, survivors and rescue workers that want teachers to have a curriculum that will enable them to teach about the significant event.
The cost is modest at $129, with the proceeds going toward the development of more teaching materials. The curriculum includes 70 interviews including
- Sec. Of State Hillary Clinton
- Dr. Peter Awn of Islamic Studies at Columbia University
- Family member of victims
- Rescue workers
- Rudolph Giuliani, former major of New York City
A small mention in a history textbook is not enough to document the only attack on the United States in modern history. Two websites are available for purchasing the curriculum: Education Trust and Learn About 9-11.
The National September 11 Memorial & Museum has also developed educational materials for high schools but does not offer a comprehensive curriculum. The 9/11 curriculum will be thorough, realistic and factual.
[1] Salazar, Cristian, "New program will teach students about 9/11", The Associated Press, Sept. 9, 2009.
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