Support Ethnic Studies in Fresno Unified School District
Support Ethnic Studies in Fresno Unified School District
The Issue
The Fresno Ethnic Studies Coalition is an organization representing Fresno Unified students, educators, and alumni dedicated to establishing Ethnic Studies at Fresno Unified School District. The racialized current events and injustices are not only evident in the world around us but also in a place that should be held sacred, Fresno Unified School District. Regrettably, Fresno Unified School District does not have a dedicated space for conversations about race and ethnicity that is accessible to all. This is unacceptable. The answer to address this issue is to support and invest in current Ethnic Studies students, programs, and teachers.
What is Ethnic Studies?
Ethnic Studies is defined as the critical and interdisciplinary study of race, ethnicity, and indigeneity with a focus on the experiences and perspectives of people of color within and beyond the United States. Ethnic Studies specifically analyzes “the ways in which race and racism have been, and continue to be, powerful social, cultural, and political forces and their connections to other axes of stratification, including gender, class, sexuality, and legal status.”
These Ethnic Studies classes can be a comparative Ethnic Studies course or a course dedicated to one of the 4 core racialized groups (African American Studies, Chicanx Studies, Asian American Studies, Native American Studies).
What are the Benefits to Ethnic Studies?
According to a study conducted by Stanford University’s Graduate School of Education, there are multiple benefits to students enrolled in Ethnic studies in both academic achievement and student engagement. These increases include gains in student attendance, academic performance and progress towards graduation. The most dramatic increases were shown by young men of color.
Other benefits include a dedicated space for conversations about race and ethnicity that is accessible to all. Ethnic Studies classes provide opportunities for students to see themselves reflected in curriculum on a daily basis that completely dismisses content and pedagogy that is centered on heroes and holiday narratives. “The course emphasizes mutual respect, dignity, and self-worth of all students, while also acknowledging that students begin the course with intellectual assets, knowledge of their culture and that they are sources of community wealth.”
(Source: LAUSD Ethnic Studies Guiding Principles)
How does Fresno Unified compare with other CA school districts?
California has significant demographic diversity. It is important that students build knowledge of the various racial and ethnic groups within our state and nation in order to truly prepare them for college and career readiness.
The following school districts have robust Ethnic Studies programs and board resolutions entailing their support of making Ethnic Studies a graduation requirement.
Centinela Valley Union HS District, Coachella Unified School District, Compton Unified School District, El Rancho Unified School District. Los Angeles Unified School District, Montebello Unified School District, Sacramento Unified School District, San Diego Unified School District, San Francisco Unified School District, Santa Ana Unified School District, Santa Barbara Unified School District, Ventura County.
Educators across our district have proposed courses including: African American Studies, Chicano Studies, Latino Studies, and comprehensive Ethnic Studies. While these course offerings shine a light on the positive incorporation from the perspectives of diverse people of color, there are still shadows that exist. Ethnic Studies classes deserve to be supported by educators, school sites, and the district.
Our Shortlist of Demands:
Pass a board resolution making Ethnic Studies a graduation requirement
Pass a board resolution to affirm their support, both structurally and monetarily, for the development, addition, and integration of Ethnic Studies.
Ethnic Studies course offerings at the high school and middle school levels and integration of Ethnic Studies principles into primary grades
Creation of an Ethnic Studies Leadership Committee by FUSD Ethnic Studies teachers
Creation of a functional Professional Learning Community
Creation of an Ethnic Studies Advisory Committee
Want to support beyond this petition?
We will be speaking at the Fresno Unified School Board meeting June 17th 2020 at 5. You can submit a public statement from home before June 16th.
Contact us:
Twitter: @FresnoESC
Instagram: @FresnoEthnicStudies
Facebook Page: Fresno Ethnic Studies Coalition
Email: fresnoethnicstudies@gmail.com
If you are a community organization what would like to be added to our list of supporters please contact us.
The Issue
The Fresno Ethnic Studies Coalition is an organization representing Fresno Unified students, educators, and alumni dedicated to establishing Ethnic Studies at Fresno Unified School District. The racialized current events and injustices are not only evident in the world around us but also in a place that should be held sacred, Fresno Unified School District. Regrettably, Fresno Unified School District does not have a dedicated space for conversations about race and ethnicity that is accessible to all. This is unacceptable. The answer to address this issue is to support and invest in current Ethnic Studies students, programs, and teachers.
What is Ethnic Studies?
Ethnic Studies is defined as the critical and interdisciplinary study of race, ethnicity, and indigeneity with a focus on the experiences and perspectives of people of color within and beyond the United States. Ethnic Studies specifically analyzes “the ways in which race and racism have been, and continue to be, powerful social, cultural, and political forces and their connections to other axes of stratification, including gender, class, sexuality, and legal status.”
These Ethnic Studies classes can be a comparative Ethnic Studies course or a course dedicated to one of the 4 core racialized groups (African American Studies, Chicanx Studies, Asian American Studies, Native American Studies).
What are the Benefits to Ethnic Studies?
According to a study conducted by Stanford University’s Graduate School of Education, there are multiple benefits to students enrolled in Ethnic studies in both academic achievement and student engagement. These increases include gains in student attendance, academic performance and progress towards graduation. The most dramatic increases were shown by young men of color.
Other benefits include a dedicated space for conversations about race and ethnicity that is accessible to all. Ethnic Studies classes provide opportunities for students to see themselves reflected in curriculum on a daily basis that completely dismisses content and pedagogy that is centered on heroes and holiday narratives. “The course emphasizes mutual respect, dignity, and self-worth of all students, while also acknowledging that students begin the course with intellectual assets, knowledge of their culture and that they are sources of community wealth.”
(Source: LAUSD Ethnic Studies Guiding Principles)
How does Fresno Unified compare with other CA school districts?
California has significant demographic diversity. It is important that students build knowledge of the various racial and ethnic groups within our state and nation in order to truly prepare them for college and career readiness.
The following school districts have robust Ethnic Studies programs and board resolutions entailing their support of making Ethnic Studies a graduation requirement.
Centinela Valley Union HS District, Coachella Unified School District, Compton Unified School District, El Rancho Unified School District. Los Angeles Unified School District, Montebello Unified School District, Sacramento Unified School District, San Diego Unified School District, San Francisco Unified School District, Santa Ana Unified School District, Santa Barbara Unified School District, Ventura County.
Educators across our district have proposed courses including: African American Studies, Chicano Studies, Latino Studies, and comprehensive Ethnic Studies. While these course offerings shine a light on the positive incorporation from the perspectives of diverse people of color, there are still shadows that exist. Ethnic Studies classes deserve to be supported by educators, school sites, and the district.
Our Shortlist of Demands:
Pass a board resolution making Ethnic Studies a graduation requirement
Pass a board resolution to affirm their support, both structurally and monetarily, for the development, addition, and integration of Ethnic Studies.
Ethnic Studies course offerings at the high school and middle school levels and integration of Ethnic Studies principles into primary grades
Creation of an Ethnic Studies Leadership Committee by FUSD Ethnic Studies teachers
Creation of a functional Professional Learning Community
Creation of an Ethnic Studies Advisory Committee
Want to support beyond this petition?
We will be speaking at the Fresno Unified School Board meeting June 17th 2020 at 5. You can submit a public statement from home before June 16th.
Contact us:
Twitter: @FresnoESC
Instagram: @FresnoEthnicStudies
Facebook Page: Fresno Ethnic Studies Coalition
Email: fresnoethnicstudies@gmail.com
If you are a community organization what would like to be added to our list of supporters please contact us.
Petition Closed
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The Decision Makers
Petition created on June 14, 2020