Ventura County

ETHNIC STUDIES NOW VENTURA COUNTY!

We, the undersigned, support the creation of an A-G approved Ethnic Studies course as a high school graduation requirement in each of the school districts in Ventura County.

Ethnic Studies benefits all students by providing a complex, rich, and critical history of the United States. Given the multitude of issues facing our county, it is important to prepare our students to be global citizens with the knowledge of and the appreciation for the contributions of multiple cultures and histories.

Using demographic data provided for the Oxnard Union High School District 2012 – 2013 School Accountability Report Card, on average, Chicana/o-Latina/o students comprise over 75% of the all the high schools in the Oxnard Union High School District. These numbers are an example of the diversity that is present county-wide.

Currently, there are no formally established Ethnic Studies programs, in which all students have access, in any high school district in Ventura County. Research demonstrates that Ethnic Studies curriculum can help close the achievement gap, reduce student truancy, increase student enrollment, reduce drop-out rates, and increase graduation rates.

Further, we advocate for the establishment of Ethnic Studies curriculum at all levels, high school, secondary, and elementary. It is time that all Ventura County students have access to Ethnic Studies courses -- courses that inspire and motivate young people to connect in meaningful ways to the larger community. Several high school districts throughout the state are implementing Ethnic Studies programs, including the largest district in CA, Los Angeles Unified High School District. Ventura County has the opportunity to be at the forefront of this state-wide educational movement.

Who's signing

631 SIGNATURES
500 signatures

Will you sign?

  • Rene Pineda
    signed via 2017-02-10 20:37:04 -0800
  • Danielle Brown
    posted about this on Facebook 2017-02-10 16:39:12 -0800
    Sign the petition: Ventura County
  • Danielle Brown
    signed via 2017-02-10 16:37:24 -0800
  • michael Pezzuto
    signed via 2017-02-09 15:32:16 -0800
  • Yvette Rae
    posted about this on Facebook 2017-02-08 13:50:52 -0800
    Sign the petition: Ventura County
  • Yvette Hinojosa
    signed 2017-02-08 13:50:05 -0800
  • Vanessa ruiz
    signed 2017-02-07 19:04:44 -0800
  • Leah Hsieh
    signed 2017-02-07 12:42:44 -0800
  • Jasmin Aguilar-Moreno
    signed via 2017-02-07 10:22:28 -0800
    Jasmin Aguilar-Moreno, Buena High School Class of 2003. Establishing ethnic studies courses in general education curriculums is exactly what Ventura County youth need.
  • Letty Barajas Alvarez
    posted about this on Facebook 2017-02-07 09:43:58 -0800
    Sign the petition: Ventura County
  • Victor Espinosa
    signed via 2017-02-07 09:24:16 -0800
    Victor Espinosa
  • ana espinoza
    signed via 2017-02-07 08:34:01 -0800
    The way to get past cultural and ethnic divisions is to provide ethnic studies courses as an integral part of curriculum.
  • Yolanda Lesser
    signed 2017-02-07 08:15:12 -0800
    In response to the current administration, young people need to understand everyone has a different story and teaching them empathy for others is crucial. We are all part of this world; no one lives in a vacuum. Everyone should be valued as a human being; learning someone’s story is a good place to start.
  • Martin Leyva
    posted about this on Facebook 2017-02-07 07:36:47 -0800
    Sign the petition: Ventura County
  • Martin Leyva
    @bigtino72 tweeted link to this page. 2017-02-07 07:36:45 -0800
  • Martin Leyva
    signed 2017-02-07 07:35:28 -0800
    Ethnic studies is so important for ALL students, it provides a history that allows for a better understanding of empathy, struggle and resilience. Students stand to be enriched as a unit, further allowing space for critical dialogue that does not happen. Ethnic studies is all about values and morals, and it brings diverse groups closer, rather than divides them.
  • Christine Sevillano
    signed 2017-02-07 07:27:52 -0800
  • Lea Roman
    posted about this on Facebook 2017-02-07 07:24:01 -0800
    Sign the petition: Ventura County
  • Lea Roman
    signed 2017-02-07 07:23:45 -0800
  • Edmund Quinones
    signed 2017-02-06 23:55:58 -0800
  • Adriana Almontes
    signed 2017-02-06 23:31:45 -0800
  • Anahi Quiroz
    signed via 2017-02-06 22:27:48 -0800
  • Brandy Manzano
    signed via 2017-02-06 22:03:29 -0800
  • Franced Helfand
    signed 2017-02-06 22:02:42 -0800
  • Breanna Valdivia-Garza
    signed 2017-02-06 21:52:54 -0800
  • Salvador Romero
    signed 2017-02-06 21:30:12 -0800
    Ethnic Studies Are Vital !
  • Jenny Bonilla
    signed 2017-02-06 20:48:45 -0800
  • Robert Martinez
    signed 2017-02-06 20:48:05 -0800
    Robert Martinez
  • M. Carmen Guerrero
    signed 2017-02-06 20:47:27 -0800
  • Erick Carbajal
    signed 2017-02-06 20:03:44 -0800

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