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Orange Unified board adopts ethnic-studies course as graduation requirement for class of 2030
Summary
After a yearlong development and pilot, the board adopted a high-school ethnic-studies course. Teachers who piloted the curriculum and students reported increased sense of belonging and knowledge of local history.
The Orange Unified School District board voted unanimously to adopt a new high-school ethnic-studies course that will be required for the class of 2030.
Educational Services presented the course development timeline, which included teacher and administrator collaboration beginning February 2025, a classroom pilot in spring 2026, community focus groups and analysis of student work. Lisa Green, executive director of curriculum and instruction, said pilot feedback showed measurable increases in students' sense of belonging and civic knowledge.
Trustee Martinez Goodlander highlighted comments from pilot students, who said the course increased their understanding of community history and personal identity. Green noted a pilot assignment — a local "people's guide" to Orange County — resonated strongly with students and helped them see the community's local history in new ways.
Trustees also noted the district collaborated with external partners, including university scholars, to refine materials and ensure local context was included. The board approved the adoption and directed staff to continue collecting implementation feedback.
The vote was unanimous. Staff also opened a 30-day public review for several related instructional materials later in the meeting.
