A new model curriculum that focuses on the history, culture and experiences of Vietnamese Americans will be introduced at a conference in San Jose this week.
Developed by the Orange County Department of Education, the Vietnamese American Experiences Model Curriculum, or VAEMC, was driven by state legislation with community input and guidance from the California Department of Education.
While it’s not mandatory for schools or districts, the comprehensive package of resources can be integrated into existing coursework — or used to create new courses. Materials include open-source lesson plans, primary source documents and professional development activities spanning kindergarten through grade 12.
Hosted by the Santa Clara County Office of Education, the Vietnamese American Experiences Conference takes place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sept. 27 and Sept. 28 at 1290 Ridder Park Drive in San Jose, with registration required for attendance. Participants will get a chance to delve into the project and its companion resources, connect with scholars, community members and cultural experts, and engage in culturally immersive experiences.
“I want to extend my deepest thanks to the Santa Clara County Office of Education for hosting this two-day session and to everyone who contributed to the Vietnamese American Experiences Model Curriculum,” Orange County Superintendent Dr. Stefan Bean said. “This conference presents an opportunity to understand and explore this model curriculum while forging new partnerships and advancing educational practices that embrace, celebrate and uplift our communities.”
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. Each was the result of significant collaboration with researchers, writers and community members.
All of these resources are now available at no cost on UC Davis’s California Model Curricula platform. School districts and educators are encouraged to review the contents and adapt the elements that best fit the unique needs of their school communities.
This week’s conference is just the first of a series of events running through 2026. OCDE will host the Cambodian American Studies Model Curriculum Project conference on Nov. 15 and Nov. 16 at the Hilton Long Beach Hotel.
For more information about the projects and upcoming conferences, visit the OCDE Model Curriculum webpage. K-12 educators interested in attending this week’s Vietnamese model curriculum conference can register at tinyurl.com/VAEMC-reg-1.