Where does Ethnic Studies stand in the state of California?
Background
AB 331: The bill would require ethnic studies to be mandatory for graduation from California high schools. Ethnic studies is a field of interdisciplinary study that includes economics, history, literature, sociology and political science. It offers a comparative study of the status of ethnic groups in the United States, focusing on their history, politics, culture, contributions and challenges.
California: Given California’s increasing demographic diversity, it is important that students build knowledge of the various racial and ethnic groups within our state. Incorporating Ethnic Studies courses into standard high school curriculum is a means to accomplish this. Ethnic studies, promotes respect and understanding among races, supports student success and teaches critical thinking skills. Additionally, the course provides students with the opportunity to learn about their respective culture in the context of California’s history.
Requiring ethnic studies to be taught in high schools is an integral part of cultivating a classroom environment that is accepting of diversity. It is vital for young people to learn about their history, it is also important for them to feel like they can contribute to their communities in positive ways. AB 331 will help close the achievement gap by reducing student truancy and student enrollment, reduce drop-out rates, and better prepare Californian youth to be college prepared and career ready. (Source: Ethnic Studies Now!)
School Districts: The following school districts have robust ethnic studies programs and board resolutions entailing their support of AB 331:
Centinela Valley Union HS District, Coachella Unified School District, Compton Unified School District, El Rancho Unified School District. Los Angeles Unified School District, Montebello Unified School District, Sacramento Unified School District, San Diego Unified School District, San Francisco Unified School District, Santa Ana Unified School District, Santa Barbara Unified School District, Ventura County.
Where does Ethnic Studies stand in the Fresno Unified School District?
As of the 2019-2020 school year, Ethnic Studies courses were offered three comprehensive high schools: Edison High School, Roosevelt High School, and Sunnyside High School. Educators across our district have proposed courses including: African American Studies, Chicano Studies, Latino Studies, and comprehensive Ethnic Studies.
Initially there was an Ethnic Studies committee that contributed a foundational scope and sequence draft. After some support and initial planning, no substantive support was given and negotiations with textbook publishers was halted. This, as Fresno Unified has adopted a lucrative textbook contract with McGraw Hill. Moreover, educators in Ethnic Studies have been working in isolation of one another in the Fresno Unified School District. Our districts’ few Ethnic Studies teachers literally lack even the most basic resources.
In the 2020-2021 school year, Ethnic Studies courses in Fresno Unified will be expanded to include five comprehensive high schools and three middle schools. While these course offerings shine a light on the positive incorporation from the perspectives of diverse people of color, there are still shadows that exist. Ethnic Studies classes deserve to be supported by educators, school sites, and the district.
In order to address the lack of intentional support by Fresno Unified School District, the Fresno Ethnic Studies Coalition makes the following asks:
Background
AB 331: The bill would require ethnic studies to be mandatory for graduation from California high schools. Ethnic studies is a field of interdisciplinary study that includes economics, history, literature, sociology and political science. It offers a comparative study of the status of ethnic groups in the United States, focusing on their history, politics, culture, contributions and challenges.
California: Given California’s increasing demographic diversity, it is important that students build knowledge of the various racial and ethnic groups within our state. Incorporating Ethnic Studies courses into standard high school curriculum is a means to accomplish this. Ethnic studies, promotes respect and understanding among races, supports student success and teaches critical thinking skills. Additionally, the course provides students with the opportunity to learn about their respective culture in the context of California’s history.
Requiring ethnic studies to be taught in high schools is an integral part of cultivating a classroom environment that is accepting of diversity. It is vital for young people to learn about their history, it is also important for them to feel like they can contribute to their communities in positive ways. AB 331 will help close the achievement gap by reducing student truancy and student enrollment, reduce drop-out rates, and better prepare Californian youth to be college prepared and career ready. (Source: Ethnic Studies Now!)
School Districts: The following school districts have robust ethnic studies programs and board resolutions entailing their support of AB 331:
Centinela Valley Union HS District, Coachella Unified School District, Compton Unified School District, El Rancho Unified School District. Los Angeles Unified School District, Montebello Unified School District, Sacramento Unified School District, San Diego Unified School District, San Francisco Unified School District, Santa Ana Unified School District, Santa Barbara Unified School District, Ventura County.
Where does Ethnic Studies stand in the Fresno Unified School District?
As of the 2019-2020 school year, Ethnic Studies courses were offered three comprehensive high schools: Edison High School, Roosevelt High School, and Sunnyside High School. Educators across our district have proposed courses including: African American Studies, Chicano Studies, Latino Studies, and comprehensive Ethnic Studies.
Initially there was an Ethnic Studies committee that contributed a foundational scope and sequence draft. After some support and initial planning, no substantive support was given and negotiations with textbook publishers was halted. This, as Fresno Unified has adopted a lucrative textbook contract with McGraw Hill. Moreover, educators in Ethnic Studies have been working in isolation of one another in the Fresno Unified School District. Our districts’ few Ethnic Studies teachers literally lack even the most basic resources.
In the 2020-2021 school year, Ethnic Studies courses in Fresno Unified will be expanded to include five comprehensive high schools and three middle schools. While these course offerings shine a light on the positive incorporation from the perspectives of diverse people of color, there are still shadows that exist. Ethnic Studies classes deserve to be supported by educators, school sites, and the district.
In order to address the lack of intentional support by Fresno Unified School District, the Fresno Ethnic Studies Coalition makes the following asks: