Photo by Andre M, Wikipedia
This is your LAST CHANCE to speak out about California's ethnic studies curriculum. You have until FRIDAY, and we have made it EASY for you:
1. Fill out the form below to email California education officials, urging them to keep bias and hate out of our schools.
2. For added impact, go to the end of this page to leave a comment by phone and email your CA state representatives.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
In December, we asked you to mobilize and speak out to keep hate and bias out of California's Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum (ESMC). You can find our detailed analysis of the previous draft here, along with broader background about the ESMC here and here.
Thanks to all of our efforts, the California Department of Education (CDE) has released a better version. However, further changes are needed (see our newest analysis and recommendations here), and a flawed new Arab American Studies lesson was added at the last minute, raising serious questions about bias and lack of transparency. The California State Board of Education (SBE) is scheduled to hold a final vote to approve the ESMC on March 18th.
THE TIME TO SPEAK UP IS NOW.
California residents have until noon on March 12, 2021, to provide their final feedback about the curriculum to the SBE.
Please submit respectful comments using the email form below, and SHARE THIS ALERT with your friends in California.
DO'S AND DON'TS
DO NOT attack the officials working on the ESMC or any other community covered in the curriculum.
DO:
Keep your comments respectful and focused on the issues outlined in the sample message below and detailed analysis here.
Emphasize the value of inclusion and critical thinking, and how anti-Israel and antisemitic bias have no place in the classroom.
Personalize. For example, if you are a parent, grandparent, educator, or student, introduce yourself as such and share how the current draft of the curriculum will personally impact you and your family.
Email your comments to California education officials:
For added impact, take a few minutes to EMAIL and CALL:
- Call the governor's office at (916) 445-2841, and leave the following message:
My name is ______. I urge the Governor to ensure the ethnic studies model curriculum is revised to:
Fix numerous problems with the new Arab American studies lesson and ensure full transparency before the ESMC is finalized.
Move JIMENA's lesson plan to the Asian American studies section and approve all changes requested by JIMENA, including a more complete definition of antisemitism.
Reinforce guidelines for critical thinking throughout the ESMC and acknowledge relevant criticisms of the Third World Liberation Front.
- Email your California state senator and assemblymember.
