Geography--Study and teaching

The instruction of Latin American topics in southeast Florida is crucial to the future of the region. Geographic education has traditionally suffered in the United States, and Florida is no exception. The demographics of southeast Florida are changing to reflect a greater proportion of Latin Americans. Social studies programs at the secondary level should reflect this change and treat Latin American groups fairly. Textbooks in use in the region are second best choices for Latin American topical coverage. Social studies educators in southeast Florida are aware of the growing importance of Latin America to the region, but in many cases are unable to enhance activities at their school. The coverage of Latin American instruction in southeast Florida is adequate for the moment, but must be enriched in the near future to augment cultural understanding between groups so that they may live agreeably together in an ethnically diverse environment.