Lake County Office of Education presents locally tailored ethnic studies course to Middletown Unified board

Stacy Eulaton of the Lake County Office of Education presented a locally developed ethnic studies course to the Middletown Unified School District board, saying the curriculum uses the state model as a framework but centers Lake County histories and communities. Brock Falkenberg, the Lake County superintendent, introduced the effort as a countywide collaboration involving tribal partners, local historians, teachers and community members.

"Ethnic studies became a high school graduation requirement beginning with the class of 2030," Eulaton told the board, saying the county used the state's model curriculum as a framework but added a dedicated Lake County focus for each unit. She described five units—intro/community building, identity, migration and displacement, systems of power, and community advocacy and healing—and said each unit includes a Lake County‑focused topical strand.

Eulaton said the course is a "living curriculum" and that the Lake County Office will host weekly communities of practice for teachers and make materials available for public preview before the board votes on formal adoption in February. The presentation noted resources, unit plans, lesson decks and a standards map aligning California content and English‑language development standards.

Board members asked about replicability; Eulaton said other counties have expressed interest but would need to adapt the Lake County focus. The board was told the curriculum materials will be posted for public review and a Chromebook will be available at the district office for detailed viewing.