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Forest Lake board approves ethnic studies elective to meet Minnesota requirement
Summary
The Forest Lake Public School District board voted to approve 'Woven Histories: Minnesota and the World' as an ethnic studies elective, aligning the district with 2023 Minnesota legislation that requires districts to offer an ethnic studies elective beginning in the 2026–27 school year.
The Forest Lake Public School District Board voted to approve a new ethnic studies elective titled "Woven Histories: Minnesota and the World," a course Director Jacobson said is designed with a Minnesota focus to let students explore how various groups have shaped state and national history.
Director Jacobson told the board the course is intended to meet Minnesota's 2023 legislative requirement that school districts offer an ethnic studies elective beginning in the 2026–27 school year. "Minnesota statute requires school districts, coming out of the 2023 legislative session, to offer a course in ethnic studies, beginning in the 2026–27 school year," Jacobson said.
A community member who addressed the board during public comment, Claire L., urged approval and framed the course as both a compliance matter and an academic benefit. "An ethnic studies course ... isn't an option, if a school district is to remain in compliance with state statute," she said, adding ethnic studies "teaches critical thinking, historical accuracy, and civic responsibility."
Board members asked about instructor support, classroom climate and course materials. One member said students "are gonna hear things that they don't necessarily like to hear," and emphasized the importance of a strong facilitator to keep discussions productive and respectful. Jacobson said the course will be "heavily steeped in research and discussion," and that teaching and learning staff and some teacher representatives led the course design; he said no external facilitator had been hired at this stage.
The board approved the course by voice vote. The administration will move forward with scheduling and registration details for the high school; the board discussion indicated the course will initially be offered to juniors and seniors as the district works through staffing and materials.
Next steps: the district will finalize the course materials and teacher assignments, and the elective will be offered on the high-school registration guide for the coming year.
