What should I know about SFUSD's Ethnic Studies Class?

Background Link to this section

SFUSD has offered Ethnic Studies since 2010. In 2021, the Board of Education adopted Board Policy (BP) 6146 to make Ethnic Studies a two-semester high school graduation requirement. The decision was based on research, including two studies from Stanford University, that found positive outcomes associated with SFUSD students participating in the Ethnic Studies course, including higher attendance, credit accumulation, graduation rates, and post-secondary enrollment.

However, concerns related to SFUSD’s Ethnic Studies offerings have emerged in the past few years. After many conversations with principals, teachers, families, and other stakeholders, we will be implementing the following plan to strengthen SFUSD’s Ethnic Studies curriculum and continue to support student outcomes. These administrative changes address immediate concerns while ensuring that educators and school administrators are prepared at the start of the new school year. 

SFUSD 2025 Ethnic Studies Plan  Link to this section

SFUSD plans to strengthen its instruction and curriculum to bolster student learning. Building off SFUSD’s recent effort to adopt and implement new curricula for literacy and math, this effort seeks to prepare SFUSD students for college, career, and life. The plan seeks to preserve student choice and access to college prep coursework toward post-secondary attainment. Core areas of the plan include:

• Pilot a new, standardized ethnic studies curriculum for 2025-2026: For this upcoming school year, SFUSD will pilot a new standardized curriculum currently used by other California school districts in place of our current curriculum.  This curriculum pilot will have minimal impact on our updated Fiscal Stabilization Plan and will meet the following criteria:
  • Aligns with the California State Board of Education Guidelines for Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum
  • Meets Common Core Standards
  • Adheres to SFUSD Student Outcome Goals to improve college and career readiness and uphold SFUSD Guardrails on Curriculum and Instruction.
  • Meets SFUSD graduation requirements
  • Meets University of California A-G subject requirements  

• Provide course alternatives that satisfy the high school graduation requirement in Board Policy 6146: Students who do not wish to take the pilot Ethnic Studies curriculum can complete a course change request with their high school counselor to opt-out for another course at their school. SFUSD will continue to work towards expanding course offerings including AP, Honors, and College Credit courses that broaden students’ opportunities and exposure to content that is culturally relevant and responds to students’ interests.

• Conduct an Independent Audit: SFUSD will contract with an external auditor to initiate an independent audit of its Ethnic Studies curriculum to identify strengths, growth areas and instructional support needs for educators.
• Establish a curriculum evaluation committee: SFUSD will establish a review committee following past process precedents and State requirements, that includes educators, community members and families to evaluate curriculum.  SFUSD will then make a recommendation to the Board for the adoption of a vetted, standards-aligned curriculum.  In making their final recommendations, SFUSD will consider the results of SFUSD’s audit of its existing curriculum, the 25-26 pilot curriculum, and the results of the committee evaluation.
• Implement stronger administrative controls: SFUSD will implement a new Administrative Regulation on supplemental instructional materials that educators use to supplement the curriculum. This regulation provides a process to review supplemental materials to ensure that they are aligned with District curriculum objectives and academic standards, directly related to the course of study where they are being used, and appropriate to the age and maturity of the students, and consistent with labor agreements. 

Learn more about what we have already done or what we plan to do next.

Review the June 30, 2025 Press Release: Superintendent Su Announces New Plan for SFUSD Ethnic Studies Curriculum