Ethnic Studies Initiative
About the Ethnic Studies Initiative
The RIDGS Ethnic Studies Initiative is a collaborative initiative that unites various stakeholders around the pursuit of creating free, accessible, and Minnesota-specific ethnic studies lesson plans and other resources aligned with the State Standards and Benchmarks in Social Studies. These include K-12 educators, ethnic studies specialists, community members, University of Minnesota faculty, and students. We are dedicated to creating educational resources that are not hidden behind paywalls and are reflective of the rich histories of Minnesota students and their communities.
Ethnic Studies Lesson Plans
Additional Teacher Resources
Looking for additional free resources or open-access lesson plans? Check out the resource list that we have compiled.
Ethnic Studies Workshops
The Center for RIDGS Studies hosts several virtual workshops each year, describing and modeling how lesson plans from the RIDGS Ethnic Studies Initiative can be used in the classroom.
Co-Mentorship Program
The Center for RIDGS Studies and the Ethnic Studies Coalition will co-host an Ethnic Studies Minnesota Teacher Co-Mentorship Program during the 2025–2026 school year. We are utilizing a co-mentorship approach that centers collaboration, learning, and relationship-building.
Ethnic Studies Evaluation Projects
The Center for RIDGS Studies and the Center for Applied Research in Educational Improvement (CAREI) conduct evaluations of school districts’ implementation of ethnic studies programs across Minnesota.
Stay Informed
In order to receive notifications about new events, resources, and opportunities about K-12 ethnic studies, please request to join the RIDGS Ethnic Studies Initiative Google Group.