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

Mara Gellman
Alicia Valdez
Kelsey Jorgensen
Sonia Kroth
Vanessa Frank
Jeremiah Hernandez
Davi Rutenberg
Kimberley Lenwell
Carolina Guerra
Marianne Szijj
Andy Pletcher
631 SIGNATURES
500 signatures

Will you sign?

  • Karen McAuley
    signed 2017-02-05 18:21:03 -0800
    To fight against the racism that is being encouraged by the administration in Washington, we must insist our youth are educated, aware and thoughtful. Ethnic Studies can help.
  • Laurie Warner
    signed 2017-02-05 18:12:46 -0800
    Laurie Warner
  • Mara Gellman
    signed 2017-02-05 17:43:54 -0800
  • Alicia Valdez
    signed 2017-02-05 17:00:26 -0800
  • Kelsey Jorgensen
    signed 2017-02-05 15:53:27 -0800
  • Amber Bowyer
    signed 2017-02-05 15:46:00 -0800
  • Sonia Kroth
    signed 2017-02-05 14:45:04 -0800
  • Tim Nafziger
    signed 2017-02-05 14:22:27 -0800
  • Katalina Martinez
    signed 2017-02-05 13:41:33 -0800
  • Vanessa Frank
    signed 2017-02-05 13:37:30 -0800
  • Jeremiah Hernandez
    signed via 2017-02-05 12:19:19 -0800
  • Davi Rutenberg
    signed 2017-02-05 11:29:27 -0800
  • Miguel Rodriguez
    signed via 2017-02-05 11:06:53 -0800
  • Celeste Weingardt
    signed via 2017-02-05 10:27:18 -0800
  • Janell Kluss
    signed 2017-02-05 09:40:43 -0800
  • Brenda Del Rio
    signed via 2017-02-05 09:37:42 -0800
  • Kimberley Lenwell
    signed 2017-02-05 09:27:34 -0800
  • Monica Velasquez
    signed 2017-02-05 09:22:07 -0800
  • Mary Jo Kusiak
    posted about this on Facebook 2017-02-05 09:17:58 -0800
    Sign the petition: Ventura County
  • Mary Jo Kusiak
    signed 2017-02-05 09:16:46 -0800
  • Laura Espinosa
    signed via 2017-02-05 09:14:51 -0800
  • Alana Sheeren
    posted about this on Facebook 2017-02-05 08:54:21 -0800
    Hey Ventura Friends! This is important. Sign the petition to implement ethnic studies in classrooms in Ventura County
  • Carolina Guerra
    signed via 2017-02-05 08:51:32 -0800
  • Victor Espinosa
    posted about this on Facebook 2017-02-05 08:46:43 -0800
    Sign the petition: Ventura County
  • Victor Espinosa
    signed 2017-02-05 08:46:16 -0800
  • Elizabeth White
    posted about this on Facebook 2017-02-05 08:34:03 -0800
    Sign the petition: Ventura County
  • Elizabeth White
    signed 2017-02-05 08:33:45 -0800
  • Marianne Szijj
    signed 2017-02-05 08:25:12 -0800
  • Andy Pletcher
    signed via 2017-02-05 08:11:15 -0800
  • Jill Ruby
    signed 2017-02-05 07:39:13 -0800

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