Palo Alto Unified can be the school district that gets Ethnic Studies right.  But not if it continues down the path it is on. 

Oppression, revolution, and martyrdom.  These are some of the topics tagged as "essential" by the Ethnic Studies consultant PAUSD just hired to set the foundation for our district’s required 9th grade Ethnic Studies course.

These topics are not what the California Legislature envisioned when giving school districts across the state millions of dollars for this new course. They do not reflect the values of inclusion, equity, cultural assets, and achievement that are the hallmarks of a PAUSD education. Nor are they a focus that the Palo Alto community will embrace. 

We are urging PAUSD to hit the pause button on its Ethnic Studies work.  That way, as PAUSD policies require, its school board can factor in community input first, and then discuss and approve the district’s Ethnic Studies course standards. 

Now is the time to speak out to get PAUSD on the right path for Ethnic Studies. Please join us by signing this letter and forwarding it to others to sign.

Palo Alto Parent Alliance 

pa2@tutamail.com