California Assembly Bill 101 requires school districts to implement an Ethnic Studies course that aligns with state educational guidelines and aims to enhance students' understanding of societal issues, contributing to a more equitable and informed community.
Ethnic Studies FAQ
An Ethnic Studies course is designed to explore the histories, cultures, struggles, and contributions of historically marginalized groups in the United States. Rooted in the four foundational disciplines—African American Studies, Chicana/o/x and Latina/o/x Studies, Native American Studies, and Asian American and Pacific Islander Studies—Ethnic Studies provides students with a deeper understanding of the experiences of these communities, which are often underrepresented in traditional U.S. history courses. By incorporating these diverse perspectives, the Ethnic Studies course aims to enhance students' critical thinking, cultural competence, and understanding of social justice issues.
The development of the IUSD Ethnic Studies course involved a diverse, multi-stakeholder committee using the Interest Based Approach. This committee included teachers, site administrators, counselors, students, parents, and district office employees from various departments. Their collective input ensured that the course recommendations are well-rounded and meet the needs of our community. During the 2024-2025 school year, a team of teachers will participate in a Curriculum Development Institute to design the full course curriculum within the scope of the course agreements. The IUSD Steering Committee will provide further input on the completed units of study.
The course has been designed to align with the California Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum. The committee carefully reviewed these guidelines to ensure that the course adheres to legal requirements and integrates relevant principles and outcomes. This alignment guarantees that the course is both compliant and effective in delivering its educational objectives.
The key elements of the Ethnic Studies course include:
- An exploration of diverse ethnic and cultural perspectives.
- Critical examination of historical and contemporary issues related to race and ethnicity.
- Development of skills in critical thinking, empathy, and social justice.
- Integration of state and local policies and community needs.
The Ethnic Studies course is designed to enrich students' understanding of different cultures and histories, promote empathy, and encourage critical thinking about societal issues. It aims to prepare students to engage thoughtfully and respectfully in a diverse world, enhancing their academic and personal growth.
The pilot course will be offered during the 2025-2026 school year. Specific details regarding the implementation schedule and availability at individual schools will be communicated through the district’s regular channels and school communications.
The committee designing the Ethnic Studies course felt that having different levels, like College Prep and honors, might make it more difficult for students to connect and build a sense of community. The class is intended to be open and welcoming to everyone, regardless of their academic background. Additionally, schools have different models for embedded honors which presents a challenge to ensuring consistent course implementation.
The Ethnic Studies Steering Committee acknowledged that challenges to the year-long option included fitting it into student schedules, master schedule constraints, and potential impact on student academics and other electives. Additionally, semester courses might be easier to remediate and may be paired with existing semester course options. Overall, there was consensus for a semester-long course, while acknowledging the difficulty of covering content in one semester.
The Ethnic Studies Steering Committee emphasized that there may be greater opportunities for more impactful community-based projects with older students due to increased maturity and driving capabilities. There's also a consideration that maturity may facilitate learning given the course is compressed into one semester. Overall, there was consensus for a course offered in grades 11 and 12 to ensure requisite maturity and independence.
For more information, please visit IUSD.org/EthnicStudies or contact your child’s school directly. We will also provide updates through newsletters, school meetings, and other district communication channels.