In 1968, hundreds of students from UC Berkeley and San Francisco State University participated in protests that lasted five months, the longest student strike in U.S. history. The coalition they formed, the Third World Liberation Front, advocated for more focus on marginalized groups in their curriculum. In response, the School of Ethnic Studies was formed, a step towards the integration of ethnic studies courses into colleges and now, high schools.
Currently, ethnic studies are simultaneously being amplified and facing attacks. California signed Assembly Bill 101 into law, mandating one semester of ethnic studies as a graduation requirement for all public high school students, starting with the class of 2030. The requirement has had trouble going into effect due to funding gaps within the state. The San Francisco Unified School District recently published a study that found ethnic studies classes were linked to higher GPAs and exam scores, and students who took ethnic studies were considered more competitive for UCs. This study followed the district’s controversial decision to make a year-long ethnic studies course a graduation requirement for the class of 2028 and beyond.
Claremont High School (CHS) has an ethnic studies class of its own. Taught by Alice Kennedy, California’s ethnic studies model curriculum explains that the course aims to “provide an opportunity for students to learn of the histories, cultures, struggles, and contributions to American society of these historically marginalized peoples, which have often been untold in US history courses.” Kennedy has always been invested in representation and diversity in the classroom.
“I wanted to teach ethnic studies for the past few years,” Kennedy said. “I have a background in sociology, and I’m also getting my PhD in equity in education. So social justice has been a strong focus for me since I started in school.”
For Kennedy, taking action is a crucial part of her class.
“We focus a lot on solidarity and resistance,” Kennedy said. “The course focuses on what you are going to do in your community. Students have already started doing work in the community. So it’s not just a passive class where you sit there and just take notes. We learn about the movements, and then you go out and actually take part.”
Turning towards Texas, the University of Texas at Austin just combined its ethnic and gender studies departments into one after facing pressure from the state’s right-wing politicians, which will likely trigger mass layoffs and curriculum changes. President Trump has strongly opposed teaching ethnic studies and critical race theory—which argues that systemic racism is woven into our society, institutions, and everyday lives—saying it “radically indoctrinates” students to “hate America.”
Kennedy disagrees with Trump, believing that ethnic studies are not about political rhetoric. Kennedy explained that her class focuses on a bigger goal. “[Ethnic studies] makes sure students are developing their critical consciousness, and looking at the world around them, and making sure that they understand that they have a role,” Kennedy said.
Beginning next year with the class of 2030, ethnic studies will be mandatory. Kennedy highlights how this will add depth to education. “Visibility in the curriculum and representation in the curriculum are important for anybody,” Kennedy continued. “I think all students need to see themselves represented through not just the dominant narrative, but also see themselves through people who have spoken up. I think this class offers that opportunity.”
Editor’s Note: California is mandating the class, but it is currently unfunded. CUSD is likely to incorporate the curriculum into MYP English 9 or 10. Kennedy will continue to teach Ethnic Studies as an elective.
