Ethnic Studies Toolkit

The purpose of the Ethnic Studies Adoption Toolkit is to provide school districts with a process for developing, adopting, and/or integrating high quality ethnic studies programming, based on the guidelines of the state adopted Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum in order to meet the high school graduation requirement now mandated through Assembly Bill 101 and the updated California Education Code.

Guidelines to inform the development of ethnic studies courses, according to the Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum include the following:

• In K–12 education it is imperative that students are exposed to multiple perspectives, taught to think critically, and form their own opinions.

• Curriculum, resources, and materials should include a balance of topics, authors, and concepts, including primary and secondary sources that represent multiple, and sometimes distinctive, points of view or perspectives.

• Students should actively seek to understand, analyze and articulate multiple points of view, perspectives and cultures.

• The instruction, material, or discussion must be appropriate to the age and maturity level of the students, and be a fair, balanced, and humanizing academic presentation of various points of view consistent with accepted standards of professional responsibility, rather than advocacy, personal opinion, bias or partisanship.

The Ethnic Studies Adoption Toolkit is organized into six steps that will guide districts through the development and implementation process. For your convenience, each step includes an overview, action steps, and templates to assist in planning.

The six steps are:

• Step One: Establish a Committee
  Purpose: To assemble a diverse committee representing all stakeholders committed to the goals of the Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum.

• Step Two: Develop the District Lens
  Purpose: To understand the school district’s community needs and perspectives in order to inform decision making.

• Step Three: Investigate Course Options
  Purpose: To explore various approaches utilized by school districts to inform local decision making.

• Step Four: Consider Specific Curriculum Options
  Purpose: To explore existing lesson plans and curriculum to inform local decision making.

• Step Five: Make Decisions
  Purpose: To analyze information collected to reach consensus to determine the content and delivery of the Ethnic Studies course.

• Step Six: Prepare for Implementation Purpose
  Purpose: To develop a plan that will inform parents/guardians and community members about the Ethnic Studies course, effectively communicate information internally and externally, and prepare teachers for successful implementation