BY HOWARD BLUME,  MELISSA GOMEZOCT. 8, 2021 UPDATED 5:13 PM PT

After more than five years of intense scrutiny and effort, California on Friday became the first state to make ethnic studies a required class for high school graduation to help students understand the past and present struggles and contributions of Black, Asian, Latino, Native/Indigenous Americans and other groups that have experienced racism and marginalization in America.

Although critics from across the political spectrum remain, the bill garnered overwhelming support in the Legislature and was signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom, who had vetoed a nearly identical measure last year. At that time, he called for a revised and completed state curriculum guide for ethnic studies — one that would be, he said, balanced, fair and “inclusive of all communities.”The revised teaching guide was completed and approved in March by the state Board of Education. The requirement would first apply to those who graduate in 2030.
“Ethnic studies courses enable students to learn their own stories — and those of their classmates,” Newsom said in a signing statement. A news release from his office predicted ethnic studies will “help expand educational opportunities in schools, teach students about the diverse communities that comprise California and boost academic engagement and attainment for students.
Read more:https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-10-08/california-first-state-require-ethnic-studies-high-school-graduation?fbclid=IwAR2CIFOBxhLQM0XKfBJoa6m4ojZu8dK4wimnXIuWxlKJQZXQ18w8_NRimpA