Coronado School District Delays Ethnic Studies Requirement

News Summary

The Coronado Unified School District has postponed the implementation of its Ethnic Studies course for freshmen due to state funding issues. Instead, a new Personal Finance class will be offered. The Ethnic Studies course remains mandatory for students graduating in 2030, while the finance class aims to equip students with essential money management skills. The board is awaiting further updates on funding, with hopes that the Ethnic Studies class could be introduced during the 2027-2028 school year. Community input is prioritized as these changes unfold.

Coronado Delays Ethnic Studies Requirement, Introduces Personal Finance Class

In a surprising turn of events, the Coronado Unified School District (CUSD) has decided to postpone the implementation of its Ethnic Studies course requirement for freshmen. This decision comes as a result of state funding issues that have put a damper on educational expansion plans. The Ethnic Studies course remains a requirement for all students graduating in the year 2030, but Coronado High School (CHS) freshmen will have to wait to experience it.

The New Class Plan

Instead of diving into the world of Ethnic Studies, freshmen at CHS will now have the opportunity to enroll in a brand new Personal Finance class. This course is set to equip young students with essential money management skills, focusing on practical topics such as saving, investing, and budgeting. Dr. Megan Battle, the Director of Learning at CUSD, explained that the delay in the Ethnic Studies class is mainly due to legislative bills like AB101. This bill highlights that schools aren’t obligated to offer the Ethnic Studies course without the necessary funding.

Funding Woes

Looking at the bigger picture, the governor’s budget proposal released last month did not include funding for AB101. As a result, CUSD is currently awaiting further updates regarding state funding set to come out in May. If things go well, the Ethnic Studies class could become a requirement for freshmen during the 2027-2028 school year, assuming the necessary funding gets allocated.

A Two-Year Pilot Program

Although the class is not a requirement just yet, the Ethnic Studies course will continue to be offered as an option within a two-year pilot program. This pilot phase will allow the district to gather feedback from students and community members, which will help refine the course’s content. However, this initiative has not been without its concerns; some members of the community have raised alarms about the course content, suggesting it promotes narrow viewpoints about race and history. Parents have voiced their worries about how historical narratives and representations of various ethnicities will be treated in the curriculum.

New Personal Finance Class

On the financial literacy front, the new Personal Finance class is mandatory for seniors graduating in 2031. This course is crucial for guiding students through the complexities of managing their finances, a skill that will undoubtedly benefit them in their future pursuits. Both the Ethnic Studies and Personal Finance classes align perfectly with CUSD’s long-range plans and meet the A-G requirements, paving the way for students to be prepared for California State and University of California admissions.

Freshmen Experience

Now back to freshmen, they’ll also be enrolled in the Freshmen Islander Experience class, taking this alongside either the Ethnic Studies or Personal Finance classes. The district aims to provide a well-rounded education, encouraging students to explore various subjects while preparing them for high school and beyond.

Positive Signs in Enrollment and Attendance

In other good news, Village Elementary School has seen an influx in student enrollment, jumping from 790 to 822 students this year. Additionally, reclassification rates for English language learners have experienced significant improvements, rising from a mere 10% to an impressive 51%. Although the district currently falls below its projected average daily attendance, there is optimism that attendance recovery is on the horizon.

Looking Ahead

The CUSD is committed to considering changes to the instructional calendar based on surveys and requests collected from students and parents, showing that they value community input. For anyone interested in the district’s next steps, the upcoming CUSD board meeting is scheduled for March 13 at 4 PM.

As the Coronado community navigates through these exciting changes, parents and students will surely be keeping a close eye on how the situation unfolds. It seems there’s never a dull moment in the world of education!

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

CUSD Board Meeting Reveals Future Educational Initiatives

Additional Resources

• Coronado Times: CUSD Update on Ethnic Studies
• Coronado Eagle & Journal: CUSD Trustees Meeting
• Coronado Times: CHS Launches Ethnic Studies Class
• Google Search: Coronado Unified School District
• Coronado Times: CUSD Update on Classroom Conditions
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Ethnic Studies