This is an exciting moment for California. Soon, every student can access the transformative benefits of an Ethnic Studies course through a new high school graduation requirement. While this policy, signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom in 2021, is the first of its kind in the nation, Ethnic Studies is not new to California.
To guide the statewide course expansion with an equity-minded approach, EdTrust-West studied Ethnic Studies pedagogy; reviewed academic research; and had many discussions with Ethnic Studies educators and researchers, district and county office administrators, and community advocates to understand what high-quality Ethnic Studies courses can and should look like in high schools.
We hope the recommendations in Seizing the Opportunity will help guide school districts in their initial implementation process to ensure that Ethnic Studies courses fulfill their promise to empower all students, help dismantle racism, and foster a more inclusive, socially just educational experience.
In addition, we created a video that explains the history of Ethnic Studies in California and briefly outlines some of the work in Seizing the Opportunity. We hope it can be shared far and wide to spread awareness about the importance of Ethnic Studies and accurately tell the stories of Black, Latinx, Native American, and Asian American communities.
To support educators and school leaders doing this hard work throughout the state, EdTrust-West calls on Governor Newsom and the legislature to meet the moment and allocate funding in the state budget to support the urgent implementation of the state’s Ethnic Studies graduation requirement.
Relevant State Policy Context:
· By school year 2029-30: Require students to successfully complete at least one semester of Ethnic Studies to graduate.
What is Ethnic Studies and why is it important for all California students?
