News Update

CSU Fullerton pulls student teachers out of district that banned critical race theory

Cal State Fullerton won’t be sending student teachers to Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District next spring. The university’s leadership halted placement of student teachers in the district, in part because of a decision by the district school board to ban the teaching of critical race theory at the school.

“The placement of student teachers in Placentia Yorba Linda Unified School District (PYLUSD), at this time, would place us in conflict with our goals to prepare teacher candidates with pedagogical approaches rooted in diversity, equity, inclusion, social justice, race and gender theories, cultural linguistic studies, social emotional well-being, and tenets of critical race theory,” said a statement from the university sent to the district last week.

Critical race theory is typically taught at the university level and is not part of the voluntary state model curriculum for K-12 schools, although it is taught in some districts that have adopted an alternative curriculum. It examines how laws, regulations and government practices have perpetuated racial injustice. Critical race theory is often confused with culturally relevant teaching.

Feedback from teacher candidates who said mentor teachers couldn’t tell them whether they could teach curriculum related to ethnic and cultural differences — areas aligned with state standards for teacher preparation — led to scaled-back placements for fall of 2022, according to an article on the university website.

The college had six student teachers in the district at the time of the decision to withdraw all student teachers, down from the usual 70 to 80 that generally are placed there.

The lack of clarity around what could be taught in the district, accompanied by the school board’s resolution banning critical race theory in April, and continued discussions as to whether ethnic studies could be taught and cultural celebrations could be held, led the College of Education to pause placements for the rest of the 2022-23 academic year, according the university’s website.

The College of Education will continue its partnership with the school district if district leaders make it clear that student teachers can create lessons aligned with state standards, according to the statement.

In a statement posted on the district website, Superintendent Michael D. Matthews said that the district values diversity and promotes equity and equality — all values that were outlined in the board’s resolution banning the teaching of critical race theory.

“While we respect the university’s right to make this determination, we are disappointed by their decision to pause the placement of new student teachers in our district,” he said. “We value our partnership with CSUF, and we look forward to continuing the discussion about renewing their placement of student teachers in PYLUSD, and about our continued commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and culturally relevant and inclusive teaching practices.”