SF Unified adjusts plans for ethnic studies next school year while reviewing curriculum

The San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) announced it will continue its ethnic studies program next school year with an interim curriculum, pending a review of the existing materials. This decision follows an earlier announcement to pause ethnic studies courses and the recent state budget that allocated no funds for a statewide curriculum implementation. Launched in 2010, the current curriculum became a graduation requirement for ninth graders last fall and has been associated with higher attendance and credit accumulation among students. The interim curriculum aligns with California State Board of Education guidelines and is already in use by other school districts. Complaints regarding the current curriculum include allegations of discrimination against white students and antisemitism.

SFUSD Superintendent Maria Su stated that the new curriculum will not include discussions about the Israel-Palestine conflict, reflecting recent tensions. An independent review board will oversee a comprehensive audit of the curriculum, ensuring community member involvement. The district will also establish a regulation requiring supplemental instructional materials to be approved before use in ethnic studies courses.