Home California Bill to Require Ethnic Studies for All Passes Assembly Floor

Bill to Require Ethnic Studies for All Passes Assembly Floor

by ECT

Sacramento – Assemblymember Jose Medina’s (D-Riverside) Assembly Bill 101, which would make ethnic studies a California high school graduation requirement, passed the Assembly Floor.

Supported by State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tony Thurmond, and a coalition of educators, students, and advocates across the state, AB 101 will require high school students to take one semester of ethnic studies in order to graduate.

AB 101 would require high schools to offer ethnic studies courses beginning in academic year 2025-26 and make the course a graduation requirement commencing in 2029-30. This gives schools and districts plenty of time to prepare for smooth implementation and adoption of this requirement.

“High school students today want to see themselves reflected in the history, novels, poetry, drama that is taught in high school. After more than 50 years since the beginning of the field of Ethnic Studies, our knowledge and understanding of the past is much richer, but we insist on teaching the same Eurocentric curriculum. How many times have we heard student ask why they have to wait until college to learn more about their own history and culture? Let’s listen to the voices of our students and professors calling for Ethnic Studies.’

AB 1010 now moves on to the California State Senate after an assembly vote of 58-9.

Assemblymember Medina represents Californian’s 61st Assembly District, which consists of Riverside, Moreno Valley and Perris.

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13 comments

Frank May 28, 2021 - 6:20 am

This is why American children are falling further behind in school. Get back to teaching reading, math and science.

TSG May 28, 2021 - 8:25 am

The curriculum is Eurocentric because 90% of STEM and literature comes from Europe. This bill cannot change that.

TSG May 28, 2021 - 8:27 am

Correction: 90% of STEM and literature comes from Europe and North America.

Robert C. May 28, 2021 - 11:31 am

Fine. And after the social engineering courses, how about requiring courses in effective writing, basic business communications and personal financial literacy? Those are desperately needed and would REALLY make a difference for young people.

Don Martin May 28, 2021 - 1:22 pm

No wonder Chinese students are doing so well. They don’t have to put up with this crap. Their schools emphasize math and science while our’s are pushing this useless junk. This is one of the many reasons we have our kids in private schools.

Laura Angel May 28, 2021 - 1:48 pm

Let the schools concentrate on the sciences, the mathematics and technology instead of wasting time on this useless subject presented in AB 101. Who cares where you came from or your ‘history” … your parents and grandparents should be the ones who should provide that. It’s not your past, but you future which matters. The state’s Department of Education has it backwards, but then it’s no surprise. Our 5 kids will be placed in private schools.

Pacman May 28, 2021 - 4:11 pm

Ethnic Studies Mandate = Critical Race Theory

I suppose Alternative Governments or “The virtues of Socialism/Marxism” will be the next graduation requirement.

It would be swell if registered CA Democrats could actually see past “(D) – Incumbent” on ballots and actually reflect upon the horrible policies and practices coming from the radical/liberal super-majority in our legislature that even overrides liberal voters when they vote on certain propositions.

Lunatics like Nancy Skinner, Matt Weiner, et al, have no place having a deciding voice in our state’s affairs.

THD May 28, 2021 - 6:08 pm

We’re taking out kids out of government schools right now. Making this course mandatory for graduation is ridiculous. They will be heading for private schools now. I’ve had calls from other parents who plan to do the same.

Lola Saavedra May 30, 2021 - 2:23 pm

This new “law” should be vigorously challenged! What total bullshit! Just who are these people dictating what our kids should be required to learn? They should be offered more math and science and foreign languages other than SPANISH!

Phil Burton Jun 1, 2021 - 3:20 pm

All 6 of our children (ages 7 to 15) …. which includes a set of twins … will be taken out of public schools, at their request, and home schooled in order to avoid this nonsense.

Ken W. Jun 2, 2021 - 3:05 pm

We have already disengaged from the public school syndrome and this totally insane requirement accelerated our decision. Our kids will be starting high school in 2022 and they will do this in a private school.

Lars Olsen Jun 2, 2021 - 10:22 pm

Some European countries public educational system require a 6 day attendance. The emphasis is on mathematics, sciences and technology. Denmark is one of those countries. Students wear uniforms so that it doesn’t become some fashion show and students can concentrate on their studies. Our public schools are actually a joke! Such a shame!

Tom Darnell Jun 8, 2021 - 3:34 pm

I was educated in Europe and was so way ahead of the college freshmen who comes out of American public schools that it was embarrassing. Some of the first year college courses are equivalent to high school ones. Notice that mot of the innovators here are people who were educated abroad where science is emphasized.

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