November 7, 2020

More changes proposed for California’s ethnic studies curriculum to strengthen ‘balance’

State schools chief adds lesson plans for Asian ethnic groups who felt left out and rewords sections to encourage multiple points of view.

John Fensterwald

October 29, 2020

Dropping affirmative action had huge impact on California’s public universities

When California voters in 1996 rejected affirmative action, CSU and UC could no longer consider race and ethnicity in admissions, making a huge impact on the public universities.

Thomas Peele And Daniel J. Willis

October 28, 2020

Ward Connerly: Anti-affirmative action leader calls Proposition 16 effort to ‘reshape’ power in California

Ward Connerly, the ex-University of California regent who fought to end affirmative action in 1996, has resurfaced to fight Proposition 16 which would allow the state's public universities to use race and ethnicity to decide admissions, faculty and contracts.

Thomas Peele

October 1, 2020

Gov. Newsom vetoes requirement for ethnic studies course in high school

The governor said he favors the concept, but disagreements over the content for the course's model curriculum should be resolved first.

John Fensterwald

September 21, 2020

Spanish-language resources help parents deal with challenges of distance learning

Spanish-language resources help parents understand how to navigate distance learning.

Betty Márquez Rosales

September 16, 2020

California ballot measure to lift ban on affirmative action widely opposed by surveyed voters

Prop. 16 appears in trouble, but voters narrowly support taxing commercial property to raise billions for schools and local governments.

John Fensterwald

September 1, 2020

California to require ethnic studies to graduate high school under bill headed to Gov. Newsom

Assembly Bill 331 would take effect with the class of 2030; author Jose Medina accepts several amendments proposed by critics.

John Fensterwald

August 18, 2020

San Diego State to pioneer race relations requirement in criminal justice program

Other universities in the CSU system and nationwide are turning to San Diego State to develop courses that explore racism and discrimination.

Will Simon

August 14, 2020

Ethnic studies mandate for California K-12 students gaining momentum in Legislature

The debate continues on what should be in an ethnics studies curriculum; legislators must decide whether to be the first state to require it.

John Fensterwald

August 5, 2020

West Contra Costa Unified to rethink student safety after ending police contracts

The district plans to take a more holistic approach to student safety by relying less on law enforcement for non-serious incidents.

Ali Tadayon

August 5, 2020

Virtual learning hub led by Oakland parent group aims to continue in fall

Building on summer pilot program, nonprofit group wants to help Oakland students in a program that gives low-income parents a stipend to oversee their child's online learning.

Theresa Harrington

July 28, 2020

Trump administration refuses to accept new applications for DACA program

Trump administration will continue limit DACA program, which provides temporary relief from deportation for undocumented students.

Betty Márquez Rosales

July 24, 2020

Cultural proficiency for teachers can no longer be an option

Teachers must learn to embrace diversity and recognize that cultural differences are assets, not barriers.

Tamra Simpson

July 22, 2020

California State University students required to take ethnic studies or social justice class under new policy

CSU trustees vote to approve policy while legislation with a stricter ethnic studies requirement makes its way through the Legislature.

Michael Burke

July 13, 2020

President of Newport-Mesa teachers’ union talks about race and education in Orange County

New president of the Newport-Mesa Federation of Teachers shares what it has been like teach in a district where she is one of only a handful of Black teachers.

Interview by Sandra Asper/Costa Mesa Brief