A Conversation about California’s High School Ethnic Studies Course

September 4, 2025
4:00 - 6:00 PM PT

Courageous Conversations about our Schools and Braver Angels are both committed to the idea that our communities, our country, and civic institutions like our public schools benefit when interested parties listen to one another, have healthy disagreements, and treat those who disagree with us with dignity rather than contempt.

Together, we will be conducting a live, online event to hear multiple perspectives about the ethnic studies course that all high school students would be required to pass starting in 2030. Due to a funding shortfall, funding to support this new requirement was not included in California’s budget in 2025. Consequently, the state no longer requires this for graduation. Individual districts can, however, choose to make this course a requirement. Los Angeles Unified School District, the largest in the state, added this course as a requirement in 2020.

After introductions, we will take about 5 minutes to provide background on the law that was passed into law in 2021 and its current status as of September 2025.

The format for the conversation will be a “fishbowl” and not a debate. The purpose is to allow participants and audience members to better understand the complex set of issues surrounding this policy, by listening and being curious rather than being confrontational. Four people who are supportive of a required ethnic studies course for high school students will each have 5 minutes, without interruption, to explain their individual position. Audience members may submit questions to the facilitators, who will pose a few to the group of four. Then, four people who oppose a required ethnic studies course will each have the same allotment of time to express their views. They, too, will have an opportunity to respond to a few questions submitted by the audience.

During their 5 minutes, we would like each fishbowl participant to indicate one concern they have with their own position, perhaps an unintended consequence if high schools were to heed their advice.

After the 8 fishbowl participants have shared their views and responded to audience questions, we will invite them and members of the audience to share their impressions of the conversation in terms of its substance as well as the way it took place.

Tentative Agenda:

4:00 - 4:15 Welcome, overview, introductions, and topic background.

4:15 - 4:40 Four proponents of the ethnic studies graduation requirement each have 5 minutes to share their individual perspectives.

4:40 - 4:55 Proponents respond to audience questions.

4:55 - 5:15 Four opponents of the ethnic studies graduation requirement each have 5 minutes to share their individual perspectives.

5:15 - 5:30 Opponents respond to audience questions.

5:30 - 5:55 Reflections from fishbowl participants and audience.

5:55 - 6:00 Closing comments.

Please send questions or comments to:
Ken Futernick (ken@schoolconversations.org) or Mary Thomas Valens (marytv@braverangels.org)