Governor Gavin Newsom: Draft Ethnic studies Curriculum, “will never see the light of day.”

California's Governor Gavin Newsom has unequivocally apologized for the California draft model curriculum, agreeing that it "was offensive in so many ways, particularly to the Jewish community.”

From Dan Pine, in the J Weekly, Northern California's Jewish paper:

From his office in the Capitol building, Gov. Gavin Newsom last week made a full-throated apology to California’s Jewish community for a controversial ethnic studies draft curriculum that erases the Jewish story in America and takes unsubtle digs at Israel.

The draft, said Newsom, “will never see the light of day.”

In spite of the widespread criticism, some of the drafters of the curriculum have doubled down, calling for a rally and press conference next Tuesday, and accusing the groups marginalized by the curriculum of  attempting to "dilute" it.

On her Facebook page,  Guadalupe Carrasco Cardona, an educator at the Edward R. Roybal Learning Center and one of the drafters of the curriculum, referred to those asking for inclusion as "loud ass critics",  and pointed out that anti-semitism as a form of oppression is mentioned in the draft.

Anti-semitism is mentioned only once in the 300 page model curriculum, while Islamphobia is mentioned 59 times.

According to the 2018 publication Hate Crime in California, anti-Jewish bias events rose from 104 in 2017 to 126 in 2018, an increase of 21.2 percent, while anti-Islamic bias events fell from 46  in 2017 to 28 in 2018.

The draft ethnic studies curriculum as it is written furthers discrimination and bigotry towards one of the most marginalized people in the world. Rather than mock the critics of the model draft curriculum, Cardona and her colleagues should take the time to read the public comments and take them to heart. In the meanwhile, the Jewish community and its allies are grateful for the leadership of Governor Galvin Newsom, and the California Jewish Legislative Caucus.

Armenian, Hellenic, Hindu, Jewish, and Korean Civic Groups Issue Joint Statement condemning California ethnic studies Curriculum

Its not just the Jewish community that  feels left out of the California Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum.   The Armenian Assembly of America, Armenian National Committee of America -- Western Region (ANCA-WR), American Hellenic Council (AHC), American Jewish Committee (AJC), Hindu American Foundation (HAF), and the Korean American organization FACE (Faith and Community Empowerment) have showed the state Department of Education just what solidarity looks like:

From the AJC:

Diverse Coalition Urges Department of Education to Rewrite Ethnic Studies Curriculum

Los Angeles – August 13, 2019 – Six major organizations, representing a very large and diverse constituency across California, today called on the state’s Department of Education to set aside the draft Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum and rewrite the document.

The Armenian Assembly of America, Armenian National Committee of America -- Western Region (ANCA-WR), American Hellenic Council (AHC), American Jewish Committee (AJC), Hindu American Foundation (HAF), and the Korean American organization FACE (Faith and Community Empowerment), issued the following joint statement:

“California high school students deserve an opportunity to learn the role of ethnicity, race and religion in the life of all its citizens, including those previously ignored. But the proposed Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum, in its current form, does not come close to achieving this admirable goal."

“The draft lacks cultural competency, does not reflect California’s diverse population, and advances a political agenda that should not be taught as unchallenged truth in our state’s public schools."

“We urge the California Department of Education to completely redraft the curriculum, which is replete with mischaracterizations and omissions of major California ethno-religious groups. The groups highlighted in the current draft should be recognized, but not at the expense of everyone else.

From the GV Wire

Armen Sahakyan, executive director of the western region of the Armenian National Committee of America, said the exclusion of his group is troubling.

“It’s certainly concerning to us that this proposed model curriculum has omitted some of the groups that have been living in the state for over 100 years, including Armenians who first settled in California in the Fresno area and have been an integral part of the society of California for over a century,” Sahakyan said.

California State Board of Education admits the draft ethnic studies curriculum needs "substantial revision"

In the wake of widespread criticism, the California Board of Education has faced reality, and admits  "The current draft model curriculum falls short and needs to be substantially redesigned."

From an August 12 press release

CALIFORNIA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION1430 N Street, Suite 5111
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916-319-0827
Fax: 916-319-0175
For Immediate Release

August 12, 2019
Contact

Janet Weeks, Director of Communications
916-319-0313

jweeks@cde.ca.gov

State Board of Education President Darling-Hammond, Vice President Straus and  Member Ortiz-Licon Issue Joint Statement on Draft Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum

SACRAMENTO -- State Board of Education President Linda Darling-Hammond, Vice President Ilene Straus and Board Member Feliza Ortiz-Licon issued the following joint statement today on the draft Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum, now under development:

“Ethnic studies can be an important tool to improve school climate and increase our understanding of one another.A model curriculum should be accurate, free of bias, appropriate for all learners in our diverse state, and align with Governor Newsom’s vision of a California for all.The current draft model curriculum falls short and needs to be substantially redesigned.

Following the Instructional Quality Commission’s review and response to all public comments, a new draft will be developed for State Board of Education review and potential approval. The Board will ultimately adopt an ethnic studies model curriculum that aligns to California’s values.”

Linda Darling-Hammond, President

Ilene Straus, Vice President

Feliza Ortiz-Licon, Board Member and Liaison to the Instructional Quality Commission

Public comment on the draft model curriculum will be accepted through August 15. More information on the process can be found at  https://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/cr/cf/esmcpubliccomment.asp.