Our 4-Layer Editorial Process
Every teaching resource we publish goes through a rigorous 4-layer editorial process before it reaches your classroom. This system ensures that every fact, date, and quote in our materials has been thoroughly researched and independently verified.
Layer 1: Research
Every entry starts with deep research using primary academic sources. Our research draws from:
- Library of Congress, America's oldest federal cultural institution, housing over 170 million items including original manuscripts, photographs, maps, and recordings
- Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, the nation's premier museum dedicated to the documentation of African American life, history, and culture
- University press publications and peer-reviewed academic journals
- National Archives, the nation's record keeper, providing access to essential documents including the Emancipation Proclamation, constitutional amendments, and civil rights legislation
We prioritize primary sources (original documents, firsthand accounts, and institutional records) over secondary summaries whenever possible.
Layer 2: Verification
After initial research, every factual claim undergoes independent verification:
- Each fact is cross-referenced against at least two authoritative sources
- Dates are verified against original documents and institutional records
- Quotes are traced to their original source with full attribution
- Statistics and figures are checked against official data from government agencies, academic institutions, and recognized historical organizations
If a claim cannot be verified by multiple independent sources, it is either flagged for additional research or removed entirely.
Layer 3: Writing
Verified content is then written at age-appropriate reading levels for our K–8 audience:
- Vocabulary is calibrated to the target grade range while maintaining historical precision
- Complex historical events are explained with clarity and context, never oversimplified
- Content follows educational best practices for comprehension, engagement, and retention
- Materials are designed to support critical thinking and primary source analysis skills
We believe young learners deserve the full truth of history, presented in a way they can understand and engage with.
Layer 4: Audit
Before any content is published, it goes through a final accuracy audit:
- Every entry receives a confidence score on a 1–10 scale
- Only entries scoring 8 or higher are approved for publication
- Entries below the threshold are sent back for additional research and revision
- The audit reviews factual accuracy, cultural sensitivity, age-appropriateness, and educational value
This final gate ensures that nothing reaches your students that hasn't met our standard for accuracy and quality.
Trusted Sources
Our editorial process relies on the same institutions that historians, scholars, and educators trust:
America's oldest federal cultural institution and the world's largest library.
The nation's premier museum for African American history and culture.
Trusted reference for factual accuracy since 1768.
Houses original historical documents including constitutional amendments and civil rights legislation.
Our Commitment
Black history is American history. When we teach it to young people, we have a responsibility to get it right. Inaccurate or oversimplified content doesn't just misinform. It undermines the real stories of courage, innovation, and resilience that define this history.
If you spot an error in any of our materials, we want to know. Please contact us and we'll investigate and correct it promptly.