Governor Signs Bill to Require Ethnic Studies at California State University

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August 19, 2020

SACRAMENTO ­– Yesterday, Governor Newsom signed AB 1460 – California State University Ethnic Studies, authored by Assemblymember Dr. Weber (D- San Diego) and sponsored by the California Faculty Association (CFA), which requires undergraduates to complete a minimum of one three-unit course in Ethnic Studies to graduate, effective beginning with students graduating in the 2024–25 academic year.

“As Vice Chair of the Legislative Black Caucus, I am proud to stand with Dr. Weber and see this requirement finally added to the California State University,” said Senator Steven Bradford (D-Gardena), co-author of AB 1460. “As a college freshman enrolled in Dr. Weber’s class it was there that I truly learned about who we were as a people. Ethnic studies is critical in learning our contributions to America and telling the true story of our rich history.”

In 1969, the CSU system established the first and only school of Ethnic Studies in the nation. This was a result of the longest student-led strike in the nation at San Francisco State University. Since then, 22 of 23 CSU campuses already maintain some level of ethnic studies. AB 1460 reflects 50 years of student, faculty, and community advocacy for curriculum reflective of the diverse demographic of the state.

“What we learn before college can be either oversimplified or just plain wrong,” continued Bradford. “It is important that all students are accurately exposed to different cultures and histories. I hope we will see Community Colleges and even the UC adopting this change in the future.”

As the state moves in the direction of teaching a curriculum that is inclusive of all of our cultures and backgrounds, AB 1460 provides graduates with the tools relevant to their lives and future careers.

For the full text of the bill, visit: http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov

 

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Senator Bradford represents the Los Angeles County communities of Carson, Compton, Gardena, Harbor City, Hawthorne, Inglewood, Lawndale, Lennox, San Pedro, Torrance, Watts, Willowbrook, and Wilmington.