AB 2918: Pupil instruction: ethnic studies.

(1)Existing law requires a pupil to complete designated coursework while in grades 9 to 12, inclusive, in order to receive a diploma of graduation from high school. These graduation requirements include, commencing for pupils graduating in the 202930 school year, the completion of a one-semester course in ethnic studies meeting specified requirements. Under existing law, the requirement to complete an ethnic studies course may be fulfilled by the completion of, among others, a course based on the model curriculum developed by the Instructional Quality Commission, an ethnic studies course taught as part of a course that has been approved as meeting the AG requirements of the University of California and the California State University, or a locally developed ethnic studies course approved by the governing board of a school district or the governing body of a charter school.

This bill, among other things, would require a school district or charter school to require a review by teachers, parents, guardians, and community members before approving a locally developed develop an ethnic studies course or any instructional materials for a locally developed ethnic studies course, an ethnic studies course with teachers, classified staff, parents, guardians, and community members, as provided. The bill would require a majority of the participants stakeholders in the review development process to be classroom teachers, as provided, and would also require authorize the review development process to include a piloting process consistent with the guidelines set forth in the Guidance for Local Instructional Materials Adoptions adopted by the State Board of Education. The bill would also require a proposal by the governing board of a school district or the governing body of a charter school for an ethnic studies course taught as part of a course approved as meeting the AG requirements of the University of California and the California State University or a locally developed ethnic studies course to include, among other things, a detailed written justification explaining why the school district or charter school declined to adopt a course based on the model curriculum developed by the commission. The bill would require the proposal to be posted on the internet website of the school district or charter school, and a written notice to be sent to parents and guardians before a proposed course is presented, as provided. The bill would require a district superintendent and the governing board of a school district or the governing body of a charter school to submit a signed certification to the State Department of Education and the state board that the proposed, adopted, or revised course is factually and historically accurate and complies with applicable laws and policies. The bill would require all adopted ethnic studies courses not based on the model curriculum developed by the commission to be made publicly available on the internet website of the school district or charter school. or instructional materials meets certain requirements, as provided. The bill would require the curriculum, instruction, and instructional materials for an ethnic studies course to additionally foster respect and acceptance and to focus on the experiences of communities in of the United States, and would require determinations of the appropriate use of those curriculum, instruction, and instructional materials and whether those curriculum, instruction, and instructional materials reflect or promote any bias, bigotry, or discrimination to emphasize principles of cultural competency, as provided. States. To the extent these requirements impose additional duties on local educational agencies, the bill would create a state-mandated local program.

(2)The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.