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Board reaffirms three years of required social studies for graduation
Summary
The Board of Education adopted Superintendent proposal 95‑26SP2 reaffirming the district’s commitment to California Education Code 51225.3 and to maintaining three years of social studies coursework for high school graduation, while clarifying the resolution title to note compatibility with state and local requirements.
The San Francisco Board of Education adopted resolution 95‑26SP2, reaffirming that San Francisco Unified School District will maintain the state‑level requirement that students take at least three years of social studies to earn a high school diploma.
Staff reading of the proposal cited California Education Code 51225.3, noting required coursework in U.S. history/geography, world history, a semester of American government and civics, and a semester of economics. The proposal framed the requirement as a floor — not a ceiling — and tied the resolution to concerns about civic literacy and the district’s stated goals around social equity and access.
Commissioner discussion focused on clarifying the resolution’s title and scope to make explicit that maintaining the district’s three‑year requirement would not preclude other local or state graduation requirements. A board member moved an amendment to the title to add that language; the motion was seconded and the board adopted the amended resolution by roll call.
What it means: The resolution is an explicit restatement of adherence to existing state law (Ed. Code 51225.3) and signals the board’s intent to preserve a robust social studies sequence as the district implements broader A–G or local graduation policy changes.
