K-12 educators from across California are invited to two conferences in February and May to learn about a new model curriculum that offers insights into the rich histories, cultures and refugee experiences of Hmong Americans.
Hosted by the Orange County Department of Education, the first Hmong History and Cultural Studies Model Curriculum Conference is scheduled for Feb. 28 and March 1 at the University of California, Merced. The second conference will take place May 2 and May 3 at the Piccadilly Inn Airport in Fresno. Both events will run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.
The events will highlight the newly developed Hmong History and Cultural Studies Model Curriculum — a comprehensive educational resource designed to support K-12 educators in teaching about Hmong American experiences. The curriculum includes lesson plans, primary sources and tools for culturally responsive teaching, emphasizing scaffolding for multilingual learners and students with special needs.
Developed collaboratively with scholars, community members and the California Department of Education, the curriculum was created as part of the Assembly Bill 167. It aligns with state standards and is intended to foster a deeper understanding of Hmong American history and contributions. In 2022, OCDE was selected by the California Department of Education to lead the development of three model curriculum projects — focusing on the Cambodian, Hmong and Vietnamese American experiences.
Keynote speeches, breakout sessions and workshops at the conferences will focus on best practices for implementing the curriculum. Highlights include a panel of Hmong elders and community members sharing their experiences growing up in refugee camps and navigating U.S. school systems, as well as a discussion on the community’s challenges following the Vietnam War.
The conferences are part of a series of events continuing through 2026. Stipends are available for educators from participating districts. The Hmong History and Culture Studies Model Curriculum, along with its companion resources, can be accessed for free through UC Davis’ California Model Curricula platform.
For more information and to register for the Merced conference, visit tinyurl.com/HHCSMC-REG-1. To register for the Fresno conference, visit tinyurl.com/HHCSMC-REG-2. Educators seeking additional details about the curriculum can visit the OCDE Model Curriculum webpage or contact ModelCurriculumInfo@ocde.us.