Next school year, school districts will begin offering ethnic studies courses so that all students can learn to engage in critical conversations about race that foster the importance of equity and justice.

Courses are required by a first-in-the-nation California law, AB 101, which made ethnic studies a graduation requirement starting for the class of 2030.

To aid school leaders in implementing AB 101, ACSA has created a new four-part workshop on the Online Learning Center. The free professional learning opportunity is designed for district and site staff who are looking to understand and implement ethnic studies programs.

“Many of our ACSA members became educators because of ethnic studies programs. Many of our members have also requested support in implementing authentic programs that will support student outcomes similar to that of the Stanford/SFUSD study,” said Tracie Noriega, ACSA senior director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Professional Learning. “Offering this free opportunity supports our organizational values and our work in empowering and inspiring equity-minded educational leaders.”

Participants will gain insights into the guiding principles of ethnic studies, the stories, and ways of learning of the ethnic studies core disciplines:

The four interactive sessions will include the history and origins of ethnic studies and how to meet the legal requirements of AB 101, while providing educators with practical tools to create inclusive, engaging, culturally relevant and community responsive content that promotes diversity, equity and social justice.

In the first session, attendees will learn the historical context for ethnic studies through stories from original student strikers of the 1968 Third World Liberation Front Strike. Speakers scheduled to appear include Juanita Tamayo Lott, Judy Juanita and Raymond Tompkins.

In parts two and three, teachers and district leaders will share best practices from implementing their ethnic studies courses. Districts that are slated to participate include Castro Valley Unified School District, Jefferson Union High School District and Santa Barbara Unified School District.

In the fourth and final session, a panel of students will share their learning outcomes and how ethnic studies has transformed how they see themselves and their place in society. Educators will leave with a clear understanding of how to align their curriculum and pedagogy with the ethnic studies guiding principles, along with actionable plans to implement AB 101 while empowering students to critically think about injustices, and appreciate the rich cultural histories that shape California.

“The fight for ethnic studies continues even almost 60 years later because the need continues for students not only to see themselves in the curriculum, but to learn in a way that engages them,” Noriega said. “In this current political climate with ongoing attacks on the most marginalized communities, ethnic studies is important now more than ever.”