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AB 331 Petition
I support AB 331 which will add a course of ethnic studies to be a high school graduation requirement beginning the school year of 2023-2024.
California has one of the largest and most diverse student populations in the nation. Ethnic minorities account for over 71 percent of the student population, with more than 90 languages spoken in District schools.
Given California’s annual increase in diversity, it is important that students build knowledge of the various racial and ethnic groups in our state. Incorporating ethnic studies courses into standard high school curriculum is a means to accomplish this. Ethnic studies, promotes respect and understanding among races, supports student success and teaches critical thinking skills. Additionally the course provides students with the opportunity to learn about their respective culture in the context of California’s history.
Requiring ethnic studies to be taught in high schools is an integral part of cultivating a classroom environment that is accepting of diversity. It is vital for young people to learn about their history, it is also important for them to feel like they can contribute to their communities in positive ways. AB 331 will help close the achievement gap by reducing student truancy and student enrollment, reduce drop-out rates, and better prepare Californian youth to be college prepared and career ready.
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PETITION SFSU College Of Ethnic Studies
Add signatureto: President Leslie E. Wong and Provost Vice President of Academic Affairs Sue Rosser
WE THE UNDERSIGNED WOULD LIKE TO BRING YOUR ATTENTION TO THE FOLLOWING PROBLEM, WITH RECOMMENDATION(S):
The proposed cuts to 40 percent of the COES budget will wipe out COES support for faculty hiring, research, and modest student resources that have survived a decade of systematic gutting.
These cuts will also impact students enrollment in COES classes and student’s ability to graduate in a timely manner. With a full and expanded budget allocation, not only will this enrich the community of San Francisco State University, but we hope to set an example for public schools, colleges, and universities in all of the United States.
IN SOLIDARITY WITH THE COLLEGE OF ETHNIC STUDIES.
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Jose Ballesteros published Ethnic Studies Resolution Unanimously Passed By SCUSD Board in Ethnic Studies Now Sacramento - BLOG 2015-06-05 14:35:27 -0700
Ethnic Studies Resolution Unanimously Passed By SCUSD Board
In a historic move, the Sacramento City Unified School District (SCUSD) board passed the resolution put forward by the Student Advisory Council to make Ethnic Studies a graduation requirement. The resolution states that a pilot program will begin in 2016 and the graduate requirement will be in place by 2020. Furthermore, the resolution included that Ethnic Studies must be a part of the Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) so that funding is provided for implementation of this requirement. The resolution can be viewed here.
Thank you to the students, educators, community members and community organizations that made this happen! This resolution will assist in having the high school curriculum mirror the student body in SCUSD.
Ethnic Studies Now-Sacramento Coalition
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Jose Ballesteros published Video: Student Advisory Council presents Ethnic Studies Resolution 5/21/15 in Ethnic Studies Now Sacramento - BLOG 2015-05-29 16:37:00 -0700
Video: Student Advisory Council presents Ethnic Studies Resolution 5/21/15
Presentation starts at 22:30 mark
<iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/suhi9BxDc98" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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Jose Ballesteros published Video: Student Advisory Council presents Ethnic Studies Resolution in Ethnic Studies Now Sacramento - BLOG 2015-05-29 16:34:13 -0700
Video: Student Advisory Council presents Ethnic Studies Resolution
https://youtu.be/suhi9BxDc98?t=1350
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Jose Ballesteros published Ethnic Studies Now in SCUSD! May 21, 2015 SCUSD Board Meeting in Ethnic Studies Now Sacramento - BLOG 2015-05-22 11:21:22 -0700
Ethnic Studies Now in SCUSD! May 21, 2015 SCUSD Board Meeting
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Jose Ballesteros published Ethnic Studies as a graduation requirement presented to the SCUSD Board May 21, 2015 in Ethnic Studies Now Sacramento - BLOG 2015-05-22 11:09:07 -0700
Ethnic Studies as a graduation requirement presented to the SCUSD Board May 21, 2015
Sacramento City Unified School District
Board of Education
RESOLUTION NO. 2845
“ETHNIC STUDIES GRADUATION REQUIREMENT”
WHEREAS, Sacramento, CA is the 2nd most ethnically diverse city in the United States; and
WHEREAS, Sacramento City Unified School District is the 4th most diverse school district in the United States; and
WHEREAS, our students are 37% Hispanic or Latino, 17.4% Asian, 18% African American, 19% White, and 5.3% of students are two or more ethnicities and over 44 languages are spoken in our district; and
WHEREAS, we need a high school curriculum that reflect the diversity of ALL students; and
WHEREAS, only 1 of 13 high schools within our district offers ethnic studies, even though over 80% of our school district populations are students of color; and
WHEREAS, the CA statewide initiative AB101, an initiative that mandates that an A-G ethnic studies be made available at all high schools is in the appropriation stages in the California Department of Education; and
WHEREAS, the California Teacher’s Association (CTA) has publically declared their support for the AB101 ethnic studies initiative; and
WHEREAS, El Rancho Unified School District, Los Angeles Unified School District, Montebello Unified School District, Santa Monica Unified School District, San Francisco Unified School District, Woodland Unified School District have written and approved, resolutions and board policies to adopt Ethnic Studies as a graduation requirement within their high schools; and
WHEREAS, the goals of SEL (self-awareness, self-management, relationship skills, decision-making, and pro-social behaviors) could be supported through the implementation of an ethnic studies course; and
WHEREAS research data shows that high school ethnic studies classes have reduced drop-out rates of students of color, raised graduation rates, reduced unexcused absences, boosted self-esteem, raised self-efficacy, increased academic engagement, and raised personal empowerment; and
WHEREAS, close to 2500 signatures have been collected in support of this ethnic studies initiative from students, parents, teachers, and community members; and
WHEREAS, our objective is to have all students learn to respect, accept, and love themselves and others.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Sacramento City Unified School District Board of Education construct, implement, and sustain an ethnic studies course as a high school graduation requirement.
RESOLVED FURTHER, that an ethnic studies course modeled after an A-G approved course be developed and proposed by November 2015 and accepted by April 2016.
RESOLVED FURTHER, the first phase in of ethnic studies courses happen in Fall 2016 in 3 schools: CK McClatchy, The Met, and American Legion, with phase two following in Fall 2017 at 5 additional schools, and phase three following in Fall 2018 at the five remaining high schools.
RESOLVED FURTHER, prospective teachers for “Phase 1” will have comprehensive training, professional development, and certification options provided to them by the Sacramento State Ethnic Studies Teacher Training Credentialing Consortium by Spring 2016.
RESOLVED FURTHER, that a funding plan be developed through the LCAP to ensure that the course and tools for its evaluation will be funded comprehensively in a manner and level commensurate with this recognized community need as a local priority.
RESOLVED FURTHER, the ethnic studies curricula and teaching methods be evaluated on a semester to semester basis to make necessary improvements to ensure that its content be relevant, meaningful, and effective to properly address and support the recognized community need.
RESOLVED FURTHER, a committee comprised of current social science teachers, current professors from CSU and UC ethnic studies departments, leaders of ethnic community organizations, A-G curricula specialists, and YOUTH, be established and utilized throughout the process of creating and evaluating this ethnic studies course.
RESOLVED FINALLY, that a meeting for a call to action towards this initiative be declared by the Board of Education no later than the last board meeting of June 2015.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Sacramento City Unified School District Board of Education on this ___ day of _______, 20__, by the following vote:
AYES: ____
NOES: ____
ABSTAIN: ____
ABSENT: ____
___________________________________
Darrel Woo
President of the Board of Education
ATTESTED TO:
______________________________________
José L. Banda
Secretary of the Board of Education
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San Diego USD - Ethnic Studies Petition
Add signaturePetition to Support Ethnic Studies in SDUSD
We, the undersigned, support the effort to establish a mandatory Ethnic Studies course as a graduation requirement in all high-schools in the San Diego Unified School District, as well as an Ethnic Studies Advisory Committee (ESAC) that will aide in the development and implementation of this curriculum.
San Diego is a world-class city that boasts over one hundred spoken languages and a great variety of ethnicities and cultures. Despite this diversity, at the moment there is just 1 Ethnic Studies course offered to the 100,000+ students throughout SDUSD. As over 75% of the students are people of color, it is imperative that the district offer courses that examine and honor the rich histories and lived experiences of our many youth.
In solidarity with California’s push to create a more equal school system, we support AB 101 that will resolve to make ethnic studies courses available to every student. Research has shown that students who have had access to Ethnic Studies courses do better in school and are more likely to go to college. It is important to have courses that speak to students who may feel invisible and marginalized, to inspire and motivate them in their education, so that they learn their own history, engage actively in their own learning, and connect in meaningful ways to the larger community. By providing Ethnic Studies courses in SDUSD, we are creating and expanding a world-class school system rooted in the unique perspectives of students in the San Diego community.
The Ethnic Studies Now Coalition
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Jose Ballesteros published Join the Ethnic Studies Now-Sacramento Coalition! in Ethnic Studies Now Sacramento - BLOG 2015-03-16 11:08:55 -0700
Join the Ethnic Studies Now-Sacramento Coalition!
Ethnic Studies Now Coalition-Sacramento
In solidarity with school districts in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Santa Monica and El Rancho, who have passed resolutions requiring Ethnic Studies classes for graduation, the Ethnic Studies Now-Sacramento coalition seeks your participation in establishing an Ethnic Studies grad requirement at Sacramento City Unified School District.
Parents, students, educators, and community members are invited to attend a community meeting
March 18, 2015
6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Language Academy of Sacramento
2850 49th St., Sacramento, CA 95817
www.ethnicstudiesnow.com
On Facebook: Ethnic Studies Now SCUSD
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Ethnic Studies Now Petition (SCUSD)
Add signatureWhy Ethnic Studies?
We, the undersigned, support the effort to construct and implement an ethnic studies class as a high school graduation requirement in the Sacramento City Unified School District.
Sacramento, CA is the 2nd most ethnically diverse city in the United States (US Census Bureau, 2015). Our school district is a beautiful mirror of our population; our students are 37% Hispanic or Latino, 17.4% Asian, 18% African American, 19% white, and 5.3% of students are two or more ethnicities. In our district, residents speak over 44 languages and 38% do not speak English at home (SCUSD, 2015).
We need a high school curriculum that reflects the diversity of all students. Despite our numbers, only 1 out of 13 high schools within our district offers ethnic studies. Because over 80% of our school district populations are students of color, we need to offer a course that includes and investigates these rich histories and lived experiences.
By having an ethnic studies course, our hope is that all students will learn to respect, accept, and love themselves. We want all students to think critically about the importance of their race, ethnicity, location, and identity as it exists in history and in the present. We believe that ethnic studies courses can offer important narratives that are missing from the euro-centric lens that history is often shown through. We want to empower our students to learn more about themselves and their communities, build empathy and unity with other ethnic groups, and push for social justice.