SANTA MARIA — The SMJUHSD Board of Education on Tuesday night unanimously adopted a Resolution to make Ethnic and Gender Studies a requirement for graduation, starting with the class of 2025.
An Ethnic and Gender Studies Committee was formed several years ago to develop a plan and respective courses in this area. Ethnic and Gender Studies class offerings, with a focus on social justice and multiculturalism, have grown in the past few years. There were eight courses and in multiple sections offered last year across all comprehensive high schools in the district. The committee will now develop a five-year plan to continue to expand course offerings and ensure a successful implementation of the new requirement for all students.
“The resolution adopted by our school board last night affirms the district’s commitment to our students’ equitable access to ethnic and gender studies by making it a graduation requirement,’’ said superintendent Antonio Garcia.
California Assemblymember Jose Medina (D-Riverside), author of Assembly Bill 331, spoke to the board about the status of his proposed legislation Tuesday night. The bill, if passed, would make Ethnic Studies a graduation requirement for all high schools in the state.