The State Assembly proposed a bill that would add a new graduation requirement for all students in the San Diego Unified School District by the 2024-2025 school year. If Assembly Bill 331 is passed and implemented in the district schools, all students will be required to take an ethnic studies class in order to receive their high school diploma in addition to their current requirements. According to San Diego Union-Tribune, the supporters of the ethnic studies course claim that the course is designed to “recognize the student’s and families’ cultures and identities.” The LA Times states that “supporters [of ethnic studies] say that, ethnic studies classes teach students how to develop a deep appreciation for cultural diversity and inclusion.”
Unfortunately, the ethnic studies course contains more than a simple message promoting diversity and inclusion. It is an attempt to push specific political views on the next generation.
Furthermore, the State Assembly is planning on making ethnic studies a graduation requirement, within the same category as science, math, English and other similar courses. In addition to political bias, this course should not be in the same category as core classes such as math or science. School is intended to teach students the skills they will need in the workplace and the world.
Those who support the change may argue that ethnic studies do provide skills needed by students in the real world. In contrast to the core classes that build the fundamental knowledge of academic topics and prepare students for academic success in college, the ethnics studies class does not provide any objectively useful skills such as math or science. The difference between core classes and the ethnic studies class is the use of the knowledge. Math, science and English core classes are general classes that are necessary for progressing in education. Instead of teaching skills useful in college, the ethnics studies classes are not objectively useful in the professional world or higher-level education.
High school is meant to prepare students academically for college and equip them with the skills to handle higher education. It would be reasonable to offer students new classes like ethnic studies which broadens the perspective of teenagers. This exposure can have many positive impacts both in learning and creating a positive atmosphere. However, the introduction of the bill was accompanied by many loaded words and phrases such as “Gender spectrum.” Requiring a class that teaches currently controversial topics will undoubtedly create an uproar.