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Board adopts final ethnic studies course; committee revisions added after community feedback
Summary
Carmel Unified trustees approved the district's ethnic studies final course draft, incorporating changes from a community meeting and the course committee. The board approved the course for now with initial placement envisioned for junior year, subject to state legislation.
The Carmel Unified School District board approved the final draft of the district's ethnic studies course after curriculum staff incorporated community and board feedback.
Andrew Rodriguez, the district's curriculum, instruction and assessment coordinator, presented a final course outline and described content changes made after a February board discussion and a March community meeting. Rodriguez said the committee reviewed each comment and revised language to be more objective, clarified vocabulary and added academic resources. Unit 1 was revised to add formal definitions and objective vocabulary; Unit 4 was completed with additional lesson resources, including a recommended unit on Cesar Chavez and a unit referencing the Native American Land Back movement. Units 2 and 3 received additions highlighting mixed racial/ethnic identities and local histories such as Mexipino heritage.
Board members thanked the committee and community. Several trustees said they attended the in-person community meeting and described it as a robust engagement. Student representative Colin Pritchard asked whether the course would be required and Rodriguez and Superintendent Sharon Ofek said the initial plan is to offer the course in junior year; Ofek noted pending legislation in Sacramento could change course placement or mandate funding and that the district will respond if state requirements change.
A motion to approve the final course was made and passed unanimously. Staff said teachers would continue to receive curriculum support and that the course reflects the state model and local community input.
