Ethnic studies requirement sparks debate in Palo Alto
A school board meeting in Palo Alto Unified offers a peek into an argument brewing in some school districts statewide over whether ethnic studies should be a requirement for all high school students, and what the course should — or shouldn’t — teach.
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Show Notes
A school board meeting in Palo Alto Unified offers a peek into an argument brewing in some school districts statewide over whether ethnic studies should be a requirement for all high school students, and what the course should — or shouldn’t — teach.
Students say the courses opened their eyes to inequities in their own communities and taught them history about African-Americans, Latinos, Asians and Native Americans that they hadn't learned in other classes.
Some parents and school board members in the community argue that courses in some districts take a one-sided view that stresses white supremacy, colonialism and capitalism are the obstacles to racial justice.
Guest:
- John Fensterwald, Editor-at-large, EdSource
This episode also includes voices from students, parents, teachers and school board members, from a school board meeting held on Jan. 23, 2025.
Read more from EdSource:
- Anatomy of a divided California school board’s vote on ethnic studies
- The clock is ticking, ethnic studies remains an unfunded mandate; what will Newsom do?
- Conflict over race, LGBTQ issues cost schools more than $3 billion last school year
Education Beat is a weekly podcast hosted by EdSource’s Zaidee Stavely and produced by Coby McDonald.