Students become increasingly divided due to standardized tests, tracking, and ability grouping. Tracking and ability grouping resemble segregation since students of color are usually placed in lower tracks and white students in higher ones. They are often placed there because of teachers' expectations which rely heavily on personal bias.

... White folks do oppress Latinx folks though economically, socially, politically, etc

White supremacy and comfort are being challenged by ethnic studies- white students and educators are being asked to investigate their own identities and how they place a role in racist structures. Whereas white privilege allows white folks to remain ignorant. Many white folks would prefer to live in "ignorance is bliss," but ethnic studies curriculum is a call to action that tries to get rid of ignorance.

And the department's decision is also guided by personal bias. That is what's so difficult about the educational and judicial systems- when making decisions about legislation and curriculum we put it in the hands of people who have biases, as we all do. So we have to be skeptical of what's in front of us and about what we're taught in school.

I also wonder how often students' rights are considered when it comes to school work. Students don't often have a say in the curriculum they learn and the reason they learn information is also not often conveyed.

A course approved by an individual district makes me worry... I feel like more wealthy districts would not deliver an accurate ethnic studies curriculum, whereas low income districts may not be able to recruit experienced teachers who are passionate about ethnic studies.

I have seen videos online of Americans trying to identify where different countries are on a map or name their capitals and most Americans are unable to do so. We have a lot of knowledge about a whitewashed American history, limited knowledge of Indigenous American culture, and even less knowledge about world histories (Latin American revolutions, conflict in the Middle East, etc).

Ethnic studies can engage students of color whereas standardized tests alienate them and cater to affluent white students.

Encourage versus mandate mean two very different things. Because if you have a teacher who isn't as passionate about ethnic studies, the curriculum may be lacking which hurts the students. Versus if you have a teacher who is super passionate, the students will benefit a lot from being able to take ethnic studies.

I'd always thought of Governor Newsom as someone who was "for the people," however in the past few years it seems he has shown his true colors and become more of a common politician- one who makes decisions based on appearances.

The bill seems to have been pinballed. As though legislators are playing chicken- who's going to vote to pass it and who isn't. And no politician wants to make the decision that will be unpopular.

I question how the curriculum will actually be enforced... Since LAUSD is so huge and encompasses so many students and teachers, how can we ensure the curriculum is being delivered well? How do we ensure we have passionate teachers who care about their students and ethnic studies?

I'm also assuming this applies to California public schools; so I wonder how this will play out in the next 5-10 years if private and charter schools don't implement the same policies.

The acknowledgement of languages other than English is a huge step in the right direction. Language is a key aspect of a child's cultural identity; and denying children use of their Native language has been used for the past couple centuries as one mode of assimilation. From Indigenous students, to Mexican students, to Chinese students, to other first gen students, they have been denied the right to use their Native language. One way to decolonize ourselves and BIPOC communities is to celebrate all languages.

The art portraying different social justice advocates as well as the symbols to the right (panther, butterfly, etc) represents the BIPOC communities fight for ethnic studies and the intersections of their fight. Instead of fighting independent of one another, it has become a community effort that has tried to overcome the separations white supremacy has used to divide BIPOC communities.

The "No Amendments" part of the post makes me think no stipulations were added the AB2772. The committee seems to have had all of their demands met which is surprising since there is so much contention around ethnic studies.