March 26, 2021

This week, we look at the future of ethnic studies in California high schools. Earlier this month, the State Board of Education adopted an ethnic studies framework after two years of rewriting and contentious public hearings generating tens of thousands of comments. Though called a model curriculum, it’s not a blueprint or mandate; instead, it consists of principles goals, guides for instruction and sample lessons.

Disagreements remain over how ethnic studies should be taught and what course content should look like, and districts now have the challenge of providing the answers. This week’s guests express strong and contrasting views on what ethnic studies should and should not be in a state as diverse as California.

John Fensterwald and Louis Freedberg are the co-hosts. Guests are:

  • Manuel Rustin, Pasadena Unified history teacher and chairman, Instructional Quality Commission
  • Theresa Montaño, professor of Chicana & Chicano Studies, CSU Northridge
  • Lori Meyers, co-founder, Educators for Excellence in Ethnic Studies

For background, read these EdSource stories:

In addition, check out these related cites: