California officially becomes the first state to require Ethnic Studies for high school graduation. Governor Newsom previously declined to sign Ethnic Studies legislation, but last week he signed the legislation by Assemblymember Jose Medina of Riverside. This bill has been a long time in the making and was also previously vetoed by former Governor Jerry Brown in 2018.
The Ethnic Studies graduation requirement will be required for the class of 2029 but will be offered beginning in the school year 2025. The delay will allow for the curriculum to be developed and approved for implementation in 2025.
Last week, Newsom’s office pointed to research from Stanford University that shows Ethnic Studies “help expand educational opportunities in schools, teach students about the diverse communities that comprise California, and boost academic engagement and attainment.”