MVLA trustees narrow ethnic-studies requirement to a single semester after extended public hearing

The Mountain View–Los Altos Union High School District Board of Trustees voted 3–2 on Oct. 27 to require one semester of ethnic studies as a graduation requirement, following a lengthy public hearing that drew dozens of teachers, students, parents and community members.

The vote followed more than two hours of public comments in which teachers and students argued the course builds critical thinking, belonging and academic skills, while some parents and other community members said the course lacks consistent curriculum and academic rigor and should be shortened or made elective.

“Ethnic studies is good for students. The data speaks for itself,” said Sofia Carmango, a longtime teacher, adding that she believes the course has helped lift students’ performance across subjects. Kevin Hyken, a social-studies teacher who co-created the district’s ethnic-studies program, told the board he favored a yearlong ninth-grade social-studies experience because it helps prepare students for sophomore AP coursework. “Sophomore AP teachers have stated time and time again how crucial it is to have a full year of skill building freshman year,” Hyken said.

Students and recent graduates who supported the yearlong course described classroom moments when they said they finally saw themselves reflected in the curriculum. “Ethnic studies helped me understand my history and create empathy,” said Eliana Tekier, a Mountain View High School sophomore.

Opponents stressed inconsistent materials across classrooms and cited the district’s…