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El Segundo High presents English 10 modification to include ethnic studies elements under AB 101
Summary
El Segundo High School presented a curricular modification to incorporate ethnic studies elements into English 10 to meet California Assembly Bill 101 guidance; board members praised the work and the item will return for action at a future meeting.
Principal Gephart presented the El Segundo High School proposal to modify English 10 — including the honors section — to incorporate ethnic studies elements consistent with California Assembly Bill 101.
The presentation explained that the modification preserves English 10’s literacy focus and California Common Core rigor while adding materials on histories, cultures, struggles and contributions of marginalized groups. Gephart said the work was developed by an ethnic studies committee of teachers, administrators, counselors, board and parent representatives and began in summer 2023.
Why it matters: the district said the change provides access for all students without adding a new required course or additional scheduling burden. Gephart told the board English 10 was chosen because it is a course all students take, aligns with world literature already in the curriculum, and allows the district to meet AB 101 implementation without creating a separate class that would be difficult to require for every student.
Gephart said the district updated the course information for University of California approval and that county or state officials could audit the course to verify compliance. He described the team that developed the modification and named teachers who participated in the ethnic studies committee and implementation planning.
Board members thanked the committee for its work, praised the emphasis on access and relevance, and said the approach helps students “see themselves” in the curriculum. A school administrator clarified the timeline of the work (starting summer 2023) and that the item will return for board action on May 13, 2025. No formal board action on the modification was taken at the April 22 meeting.
The presentation materials and the course curriculum are available for review at the high school, the board was told, and the district will include the modification in the documentation submitted for UC approval.
