"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

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 ethnic studies standards

The standards and learning expectations noted below are to be learned through, and applied to, the four foundational disciplines of Ethnic Studies: African American, Chicana/o/x and Latina/o/x, Native American, and Asian American and Pacific Islander studies. Through these communities’ experiences  and perspectives, students will examine the histories, cultures, struggles, and contributions of these historically marginalized communities, expanding on the traditional U.S. history and social science education, and developing a deeper understanding of their impact on American society.

1.0 Identity: Analyze the factors that influence one’s identity and the identities of people in society, including the ways individuals connect with one another.

• • 1.1 Explain how race has been socially constructed and analyze its impact on society, including the ongoing struggle for power in the United States.

  • 1.2 Analyze the relationship between race, ethnicity, and culture including how they influence one’s identity.

  • 1.3 Explain the complexities of intersectional identities and apply this learning to better understand oneself,  appreciate the similarities and differences in, and find common ground with others so as to foster classroom connection and strengthen community.

2.0 History of Movement: Analyze the causes and effects of shifting American demographics from various perspectives and lived experiences, including the impact on the land, people, communities, and the nation.

• • 2.1 Describe the impact of settler-colonialism and imperialism on various communities in different times and places (e.g. Native American, Native Hawaiian, Filipino, Mexican American, Cuban, and Puerto Rican communities).

  • 2.2 Analyze forced and voluntary im/migration by examining push and pull im/migration factors of various racial, ethnic, cultural, and religious communities to and within the United States.

  • 2.3 Identify the causes for redlining and housing segregation and evaluate their historical and present-day impacts on both marginalized and non-marginalized communities, including the impacts on our local communities.

  • 2.4 Trace and analyze the different and shared experiences of im/migrants in the United States over time, including the experiences of im/migrants in our local communities.

3.0 Systems of Power: Analyze systems of power, including how they function across social, economic, and political institutions, and how people and groups have resisted and transformed them.

• • 3.1: Analyze how systems of power and dominant narratives have shaped historical and contemporary lived experiences.

  • 3.2: Evaluate how marginalized communities, both local and national, have historically challenged oppression and fought for justice through counter narrative and resistance strategies (e.g. protest, legal challenges, solidarity, civil disobedience).

  • 3.3 Trace and analyze how the definition of what it means to be "American" has evolved over time, including how laws, policies, im/migration, and social movements have influenced American identity and belonging.

4.0 Social Movements: Analyze the social, political, and economic forces that have led people to organize for social change and justice in historical and contemporary settings.

• • 4.1 Explain how different groups define justice and resist discriminatory systems through activism and advocacy, and how the unique experiences of racial and ethnic groups influence the goals, strategies, and tactics of their social movements.

  • 4.2 Evaluate how groups have formed movements of solidarity and worked together across racial, ethnic, and social lines to achieve justice.

  • 4.3 Identify and analyze the untold stories, sacrifices, and successes of past social movements, both local and national, highlighting the contributions of marginalized voices.

  • 4.4 Assess the lasting legacies of historical social movements and their influence on modern-day struggles for justice and equity.

5.0 Civic Engagement: Conduct research on issues affecting their communities, analyze data, and propose actionable solutions.

• • 5.1 Evaluate different forms of civic engagement, including voting, community organizing, advocacy, and protest and the ways that diverse communities have engaged civically to promote equity and justice.

  • 5.2 Collaborate with peers to research, design, and propose a plan that addresses an issue to promote positive social change.