History-Social Studies FAQs

1. What is the FAIR Act?

The FAIR Act (Fair, Accurate, Inclusive, and Respectful Education Act 2012) is a California law that compels the inclusion of contributions made by different groups into the teaching of history social studies curricula. The legislation also added some requirements with regard to instructional materials.

Education Code Section 60040 directs governing boards to only adopt instructional materials that “accurately portray the cultural and racial diversity of our society.” That section already included a number of groups, and was amended to include all of those in Section 51204.5 as listed above.

These updated education guidelines require a factual, inclusive, age-appropriate teaching of history. They empower parents to provide input about social studies lessons at the district level and give clarity about what students will or will not learn in the classroom. Lessons about morality or the intimate details of historical figures’ lives are not part of the law and are left entirely for parents to discuss at home.

Finally, the legislation provides a reminder to charter and alternative schools that they are also prohibited in engaging in discrimination per Section 235 of the Education Code.

2. What should parents know about RUSD implementing the Fair Act?

The FAIR Education Act is to be implemented in social science classes in all grades. As part of this work, RUSD is available to support teachers and the school community to create and maintain a safe and respectful classroom environment.

All students should expect to have respectful class work and assignments regarding the populations designated by the FAIR Education Act.

All students are protected from bias and/or harassment in any school-related activities, discussions, or assignments.

California law does not permit students to opt out of school assignments and projects that relate to the FAIR Education Act. The FAIR Education Act is in alignment with the RUSD Strategic Plan to “Establish an inclusive culture where diversity and individual differences are valued and celebrated.”

As we progress, we will all continue to strive to create a more inclusive culture and provide a safe and supportive teaching and learning environment for our students and staff, and to communicate with parents and staff, and to ensure consistency and transparency throughout this process.

3. Is Rocklin changing its curriculum for History/Social Science?

Yes. RUSD adopted a new curriculum for K-5 and 6-12 History Social Science based on a yearlong process of teachers who researched and piloted materials and input from parents. This curricula meets the requirements of the Fair Act.

4. Can families opt out of History Social Science lessons?

No. There are no provisions under California law allowing for opting out history social science lessons . There are no opt outs for history social science content as the inclusion of all groups is distributed and embedded throughout the materials.

5. Can I view the adopted History/Social Science materials?

Yes. You may request to view the student materials in person at the Rocklin Unified district office, 2615 Sierra Meadows Dr, Rocklin, CA 95677

6. In order to further support my child, how will I know when topics will be covered to initiate support?

Each trimester, elementary K-5 teachers/grade levels will share an overview of what History/Social Science content they will be teaching each week. Additionally, 6-12 grade teachers will share their syllabi with parents through email, website or Schoology. However, this timeline could change slightly based on the instructional and time challenges encountered by each teacher. In order to coordinate parent/teacher support for student learning, upon individual inquiry to teachers, parents may be provided an estimate on the intended day the material is to be taught. Teachers may also request that the parent check back when the unit of concern is closer to the date on the syllabus, in order to provide a more exact date.

7. What if I want my student’s teacher to notify me when any topic of concern (example: families) is taught?

We have asked parents to access the District’s online portal to view teacher and student materials for Studies Weekly and for the McGraw curricula for more information about topics for which they want more information or advanced notice. After reviewing the units and materials, should parents want more information as to when specific content will be taught, they should contact their child’s teacher directly with specific questions about units of study. Teachers will then provide a response as to the intended day the specific content will be covered. Again, if the unit is many weeks away, teachers have been directed to ask parents to check back when the unit of concern is closer to the date on the syllabus, in order to provide a more exact date. Please note that the intent of section 10 of BP 6144 is to provide parents with requested information as to when specific History Social Studies units will be taught, rather than providing regular notifications on broad topics such as “tolerance.”

8. What if my student is bullied?

RUSD strives to create a more inclusive culture and provide a safe and supportive teaching and learning environment for our students. RUSD has a strong anti-bully stance and specific curriculum, pedagogy, and disciplinary actions to address bullying in any form. If your child is bullied for any other reason, please report this to your child's teacher or the principal immediately so that is can be addressed and mitigated.

9. What if I don’t want my child to participate in a specific lesson?

Since History/Social Science is mandatory curriculum in the State of California, alternative curriculum and instruction are not available.

10. What if I don’t want my child to have access to online materials?

Many important and engaging aspects of the curriculum are part of the online program component. For this reason, students may be required to use the online portion of the curriculum during the instructional day. After school hours or at home, it is recommended that you set clear expectations about what your child is allowed to access online and/or monitor their use of online applications and tools.

11. The content for which I object to my child seeing is in one part of the Studies Weekly materials only. While I’m okay with the rest of the materials, I do not want my student to access this. Can it be removed?

No, RUSD cannot remove a portion of the weekly curriculum. All parts of the curriculum are required and approved by the State of California. Removing parts of the curriculum based on parent request would be difficult and potentially discriminatory.

12. What if my student’s teacher does not communicate with me regarding my questions concerning instruction?

If you have not received a response from your child’s teacher within 48 hours, please contact the school principal.

13. How will parents be notified of upcoming curriculum pilots and/or how will I know if my child's teacher is piloting a new curriculum?

At elementary sites, letters have been sent in the past if a teacher is piloting a curriculum.

14. How are parents notified when piloting selection materials (i.e.: upcoming NGSS curriculum) will be on display for their viewing?

The public is notified via postings that materials are being recommended for adoption and are on public display at the District Office. The presentation and public review are posted for 30 days by law prior to adoption. There will be a message sent out about 6-8 Parent Preview night Thur. Sept 26th for 6- 8 science materials prior to Thur. Sept. 26.

15. What is the process for becoming a part of the parent team to help with resources (i.e.: the 16 parents who were part of the HSS Overview and Resource for Topics) and how can we be selected for that team for upcoming pilots?

Not every adoption will have an official parent team. Those teams arose on a needs basis.

We asked principals from each school to give us potential names. Parents are not part of pilot teams. Ed Code states teachers are involved in pilots and parents give input on materials to adoptions but are not directly involved in pilot teams.

16. If parents are unsatisfied with the definition provided for ‘gay’ and ‘lesbian.’ Who can they talk to to make a change?

We have had several iterations of this since its inception and will not be making further changes for the next year. Some parents did not agree with the definitions listed, and some did. We are moving forward at this time with the given definitions -- which will only be used if specific questions come up in a classroom. Teachers also have the right to tell a student that they prefer the student talk to adults in their home about a topic, too, as per the HSS Resource.

17. If a substitute teacher is in my child’s class and teaching Social Studies, how will the sub handle this content?

The sub will be left plans as per normal procedures. Teachers are asked not to leave sensitive topic curricula for subs to teach.

18. How will instructional aides respond to the potentially sensitive verbiage on the playground? Are they allowed to just tell their opinion?

Instructional Aides should let certificated teachers know, but the district will continue to promote the “CLARIFY”, “RESPECT”, and REFER to Teacher/Family response pattern for all staff.

19. Will teachers let me know if there are changes to their timeline?

If a parent has specific questions, he/she will let that parent know, but teachers are not going to update parents each week on their timeline. Parents are free to reach out to teachers.

20. Will all curricular videos be watched and how will I know if my child’s teacher will be watching them?

Not all videos may be watched. However, they are shared with parents through the portal to provide transparency that they are in the curriculum and could be viewed. Parents should email teachers to ask about specifics.

21. Is there additional information about the FAIR Act parents should know?

The Fair, Accurate, Inclusive, and Respectful Education Act (SB 48), written by Senator Mark Leno, went into effect January 1, 2012. The FAIR Act amends Education Code to ensure that the contributions and roles of underrepresented racial, ethnic, and cultural populations are included in Grades 1-12 United States and California History lessons, classes, and curricular materials.

FAIR is in alignment with the California History/ Social Science Standards. It is up to teachers, schools, and districts (in conjunction with parent and community input) to determine how FAIR content, instruction, and materials are incorporated into each grade level/ class. The History/ Social Science textbook adoption process began in 2017; however, the California History/ Social Science Framework provides specific grade-level examples of FAIR content.

The Fair Education Act amends the following California Education Code:

1. Regarding Grades 1-12 History/ Social Science standards: The Fair Education Act amends the following California Education Code:

· § 51204.5. Instruction in social sciences shall include the early history of California and a study of the role and contributions of both men and women, Native Americans, African Americans, Mexican Americans, Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, European Americans, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Americans, persons with disabilities, and members of other ethnic and cultural groups, to the economic, political, and social development of California and the United States of America, with particular emphasis on portraying the role of these groups in contemporary society.

2. Regarding teacher instruction:

· § 51500. A teacher shall not give instruction and a school district shall not sponsor any activity that promotes a discriminatory bias on the basis of race or ethnicity, gender, religion, disability, nationality, or sexual orientation, or because of a characteristic listed in Section 220.

3. Regarding teaching materials:

· § 51501. The state board and any governing board shall not adopt any textbooks or other instructional materials for use in the public schools that contain any matter reflecting adversely upon persons on the basis of race or ethnicity, gender, religion, disability, nationality, or sexual orientation, or because of a characteristic listed in Section 220.

4. Regarding textbook adoption:

· § 60040. When adopting instructional materials for use in the schools, governing boards shall include only instructional materials which, in their determination, accurately portray the cultural and racial diversity of our society, including:

(a) The contributions of both men and women in all types of roles, including professional, vocational, and executive roles.

(b) The role and contributions of Native Americans, African Americans, Mexican Americans, Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, European Americans, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Americans, persons with disabilities, and members of other ethnic and cultural groups to the total development of California and the United States.

· § 60044. A governing board shall not adopt any instructional materials for use in the schools that, in its determination, contain:

(a) Any matter reflecting adversely upon persons on the basis of race or ethnicity, gender, religion, disability, nationality, or sexual orientation, occupation, or because of a characteristic listed in Section 220.

(b) Any sectarian or denominational doctrine or propaganda contrary to law.

More information can be found at the California Department of Education.