The educational landscape of San Francisco is currently marred with tension and uncertainty, as SFUSD grapples with the decision to suspend its ethnic studies program next year. The pause is being considered so the district can review materials that have sparked controversy, a topic that Superintendent Maria Su discussed with principals, according to Mission Local. Criticisms come with the claim that the program promotes liberal politics and was put together hastily.
While the cancellation is to appease some parental concerns, educators are pushing back, fearing the late notice would spell chaos for scheduling. As reported by Mission Local, school board member Matt Alexander highlighted that halting a class during an audit is disproportionate and defies logic, especially considering the potential disruption it would cause. Similarly, the SF Standard illuminated the outcry from teachers, including a call-to-action by Carolina Samayoa, a social studies teacher at Lowell High School, urging students to take a stand and defend the ethnic studies class.
According to the SF Standard, the district is quickly revising the curriculum to maintain the ethnic studies course for the 2025-26 school year. These courses, which tackle topics from white supremacy to transphobia, are viewed as essential by many educators for fostering a sense of community and empathy among students. Anna Klafter, president of the SFUSD administrators' union, told Mission Local that the course helps "create deep critical thinking, and it helps students understand their place in the world."
This controversy comes in light of recent findings from Stanford University and the University of California, Irvine, suggesting that ethnic studies courses at SFUSD boost attendance and overall GPA. Yet, some parents argue that the current version of the ethnic studies program, which includes exercises on power dynamics and role-playing activities, conveys a one-sided perspective and should be revised.
