San Francisco's educational landscape will undergo strategic reform in the 2025-26 academic year with the introduction of a new Ethnic Studies curriculum. The plan, revealed by SFUSD Superintendent Dr. Maria Su earlier this week, is a comprehensive attempt to address educational excellence, cultural nuance, and the crafting of civic-minded individuals. "We must take deliberate steps to ensure our Ethnic Studies curriculum reflects both educational excellence and our values," Dr. Su stated, according to a release from the SFUSD official website.
The newly announced curriculum aligns with the San Francisco Board of Education Policy, California State Board of Education Guidelines, and Common Core standards. According to Superintendent Su's address, the decision comes after thoroughly consulting various stakeholders, including educators, parents, and school administrators. the plan is not only an immediate solution but also sets the stage for a longer-term strengthening of the district's Ethnic Studies programs. The curriculum is also poised to support diverse student needs and educational outcomes while adhering to the district's existing commitments to Ethnic Studies.
In addition to a standardized curriculum, SFUSD will implement a new review process for supplemental instructional materials. This process, Dr. Su explained, is designed "to ensure that they are aligned with District curriculum objectives and academic standards, directly related to the course of study where they are being used, and appropriate to the age and maturity of the students," as mentioned on the SFUSD news post. A comprehensive audit of the Ethnic Studies curriculum is also in the pipeline, and it is a project involving educators, community members, and families to develop a vetted and standards-aligned curriculum for Board adoption.
Recognized for its leadership in high-school Ethnic Studies, SFUSD's new plan has received endorsements from various community members. "Ethnic Studies is a foundational course in our social science sequence and we know how important Ethnic Studies is for our students and families," expressed Anna Klafter, President of the United Administrators of San Francisco (UASF), highlighting the course's significance in the development of students' critical thinking, sense of belonging, and civic engagement, per SFUSD.
