June 17, 2014. ERUSD Board Vice President Jose Lara presented a resolution to the Board of Education to make Ethnic Studies a high school graduation requirement.

With support from Board President Dr. Aurora Villon and fellow Board Member Delia Alvidrez the resolution was approved. This historic event marks the first time in California that a school district has taken this action.

The vote was one day before Assembly Member Luis Alejo's Ethnic Studies bill, AB 1750, was brought before the California Senate Education Committee, having passed in the Assembly. Pico Rivera is providing statewide leadership at the local level by modeling what is possible to other school districts.