ETHNIC STUDIES
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"Ethnic Studies is the interdisciplinary social and historical study of how different populations have experienced, survived, and critically engaged the United States nation-building project."
- UC Riverside Department of Ethnic Studies
For more information about Ethnic Studies in RUSD, please contact Carolyn Power:
ETHNIC STUDIES IN RUSD
ETHNIC STUDIES IN RUSD
Riverside Unified School District has a long-standing tradition of offering courses in African American Studies, Chicano Studies, and Ethnic Diversity in America dating back to the early 2000s. In 2020 an effort was made to guarantee that ethnic studies courses were offered at every high school site. Since then RUSD has increased opportunities for students to enroll in ethnic studies courses throughout their high school years.
RUSD GRADUATION REQUIREMENT
RUSD GRADUATION REQUIREMENT
Beginning with the graduating class of 2027-28, high school students in RUSD will be required to complete one semester of an ethnic studies course for graduation. All of the courses listed below will meet this graduation requirement.
OUR STORY
OUR STORY
Riverside Unified School District has a long-standing tradition of offering courses in African American Studies, Chicano Studies, and Ethnic Diversity in America dating back to the early 2000s. In 2020 an effort was made to guarantee that ethnic studies courses were offered at every high school site. Since then RUSD has increased opportunities for students to enroll in ethnic studies courses throughout their high school years.
OUR APPROACH
OUR APPROACH
Riverside Unified School District is committed to developing a robust, interdisciplinary, and vertically-aligned ethnic studies program that not only offers stand-alone ethnic studies courses for high school students, but also integrates content TK-12 and into core courses. Emphasis will be placed on the diverse experiences and perspectives, including but limited to, Asian-Americans, Native Americans, African Americans, and Mexican-Americans and Latina/o Americans.
OUR COURSES
OUR COURSES
Click the link below to view each course outline.
*Offered to 9th grade students only.
**AP African American Studies is a year-long course whereas the other courses are semester-long.
9th Grade Ethnic Studies course
9th Grade Ethnic Studies course
Beginning in the 2024-25 academic school year, RUSD will offer all 9th grade students a one-semester ethnic studies course called Ethnic Diversity in America as an option to satisfy the graduation requirement. This course will be paired with a one-semester Freshman Studies type of class. RUSD will continue to offer the other ethnic studies courses which will also satisfy the graduation requirement.
options for meeting the graduation requirement:
options for meeting the graduation requirement:
RUSD's Two-Pronged Approach
RUSD's Two-Pronged Approach
RUSD meets AB 101 and Board Resolution No. 2020/21-40 through both an integrative and specialized approach to Ethnic Studies. U.S. History courses in RUSD intentionally and explicitly integrate the diverse and varied voices that have contributed to the American story. Using a historical inquiry approach, students learn history through primary sources, with an emphasis on those who experienced the events of the past.
ethnic studies advisory committee selection process
ethnic studies advisory committee selection process
In an effort to broaden parent/guardian and community member input and feedback on the implementation of Ethnic Studies in RUSD, the District found it important to add educational partners to the existing Ethnic Studies Advisory Committee. Our History-Social Science team followed the process outlined below in selecting parent/guardian and community members.
Communication Process
Communication Process
A call for parent/guardian and community members to submit their interest was initiated through various District communication pathways.
Selection Process
Selection Process
For the selection of the parent/guardian:
Interested parties submitted their information between 8/30/24 through 9/13/24.
All submissions received by 9/13/24 were sorted by the indicated student representation categories and were issued a randomly generated number within each category.
The random numbers were sorted (thereby randomly ordering the submissions), and multiple student attributes were coded to each submission.
The top randomly sorted submission in each category was automatically selected.
The second randomly sorted submission was selected next.
The top 2 selections were then reviewed and the overall parent/guardian group was balanced to mirror district demographics as closely as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is Ethnic Studies?
What is Ethnic Studies?
“Ethnic studies is the interdisciplinary social and historical study of how different populations have experienced, survived, and critically engaged the United States nation-building project.” Ethnic studies examines the histories, experiences and cultures of various racial and ethnic groups and explores race and ethnicity in various social, cultural, historical, political and economic contexts.
Why Ethnic Studies?
Why Ethnic Studies?
RUSD is committed to providing excellent educational opportunities to all students and all students benefit from ethnic studies. When we elevate and recognize the histories and identities of historically marginalized groups, we create powerful opportunities for students to see their stories as part of the fabric of United States history. In doing so, we empower students to engage in civic action to improve our nation for all citizens. Research shows that culturally meaningful and relevant curriculum can have a positive impact on students. Students that become more engaged in school through courses like ethnic studies are more likely to graduate and feel more personally empowered.
what is the purpose of Ethnic Studies?
what is the purpose of Ethnic Studies?
Ethnic studies is meant to educate students about the full range of experiences, perspectives, contributions, and knowledge of People of Color in order for students to construct counter-narratives and develop a more complex understanding of the human experience. Through these studies, students should develop respect for cultural diversity and see the advantages of inclusion.
WHAT IS THE GRADUATION REQUIREMENT FOR RIVERSIDE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT?
WHAT IS THE GRADUATION REQUIREMENT FOR RIVERSIDE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT?
In September of 2020 the RUSD Board of Education passed Resolution No. 2020/21-40 which called for an anti-racist, robust, interdisciplinary and vertically aligned Ethnic Studies program that integrates content TK-12, including curriculum, assessment, materials, and professional development. Additionally, the resolution established a graduation requirement for the completion of an Ethnic Studies course beginning with the graduating class of 2027-2028. Following this resolution California Assembly Bill 101 was signed into law making the completion of an Ethnic Studies course a state graduation requirement.
WHAT COURSES DOES RUSD CURRENTLY OFFER THAT WILL MEET THE GRADUATION REQUIREMENT?
WHAT COURSES DOES RUSD CURRENTLY OFFER THAT WILL MEET THE GRADUATION REQUIREMENT?
RUSD has a long-standing tradition of offering ethnic studies courses. As of the 2024-25 academic school year, RUSD will offer five semester-long elective courses and one year-long course for high school students. These courses include Ethnic Diversity in America, African American Studies, Chicano Studies, Native American Studies, Asian American & Pacific Islander Studies, and AP African American Studies. Any one of these elective courses will meet the ethnic studies graduation requirement for both Riverside Unified School District and for the State of California. These courses meet the “G” requirement for the A-G requirements.
HOW ARE TEACHERS BEING PREPARED TO TEACH ETHNIC STUDIES?
HOW ARE TEACHERS BEING PREPARED TO TEACH ETHNIC STUDIES?
K-12 teachers will be introduced to the foundational concepts in Ethnic Studies, build their content and pedagogical knowledge of Ethnic Studies, and learn ways to create a classroom environment that represents and honors diverse perspectives of students.
IS MY STUDENT REQUIRED TO TAKE THE ETHNIC DIVERSITY IN AMERICA COURSE?
IS MY STUDENT REQUIRED TO TAKE THE ETHNIC DIVERSITY IN AMERICA COURSE?
Your student will be required to take one semester of an Ethnic Studies course to meet the graduation requirement. Ethnic Diversity in America will meet this graduation requirement and is offered only to 9th grade students. Students who do not take Ethnic Diversity in America in their 9th grade year may take another Ethnic Studies course in 11th or 12th grade to meet the graduation requirement. These other courses include:
African American Studies
Chicano Studies
Native American Studies
Asian American & Pacific Islander Studies
AP African American Studies (year-long)
IS MY STUDENT REQUIRED TO TAKE THE FRESHMAN STUDIES COURSE?
IS MY STUDENT REQUIRED TO TAKE THE FRESHMAN STUDIES COURSE?
The Freshman Studies course is a one-semester course that will be paired with the one-semester Ethnic Diversity in America course. The Freshman Studies course is not a graduation requirement and your student is not required to take this course.
WHY ETHNIC STUDIES?
WHY ETHNIC STUDIES?
All students benefit from Ethnic Studies. When we elevate and recognize the histories and identities of marginalized groups, we create powerful opportunities for students to see their stories as part of the fabric of United States history. In doing so, we empower students to engage in civic action to improve our nation for all citizens. Research shows a clear connection between providing Ethnic Studies or similar coursework and student achievement. Both white students and students of color are more likely to be engaged in school and to recognize cultural identities and values of both themselves and others.
WHAT THE RESEARCH SAYS
WHAT THE RESEARCH SAYS
"Both students of color and White students have been found to benefit academically as well as socially from ethnic studies. Indeed, rather than being non-academic, well-planned ethnic studies curricula are often very academically rigorous. Rather than being divisive, ethnic studies helps students to bridge differences that already exist in experiences and perspectives. In these ways, ethnic studies plays an important role in building a truly inclusive multicultural democracy and system of education." Dr. Christine Sleeter (2011) "The Academic and Social Value of Ethnic Studies, A Research Review." NEA. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED521869.pdf
ETHNIC STUDIES LEGISLATION
ETHNIC STUDIES LEGISLATION
In September of 2020 the RUSD Board of Education passed Resolution No. 2020/21-40 which called for "an anti-racist, robust, interdisciplinary and vertically-aligned Ethnic Studies program that integrates content" TK-12, including curriculum, assessment, materials, and professional development." Additionally, the resolution established a graduation requirement for the completion of an Ethnic Studies course beginning with the graduating class of 2027-2028. Following this resolution AB101 was signed into law making the completion of an Ethnic Studies course a state graduation requirement.
The California Indian Education Act (AB 1703) was introduced to the State Senate in May 2022. If passed, this act would authorize California Indian Education Task Forces to submit curricular materials to the county office of education for inclusion in the model curriculum.
SB 1363 passed the California Senate in may 2022. The bill would require the inclusion of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders into the adopted course of study in history and social science instruction.
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