BAD NEWS! Gov Brown VETOES my landmark AB101 to create 1st statewide curriculum on ethnic studies! @EthnicStudiesCA pic.twitter.com/q8uOo2d8fY

— Asm. Luis Alejo (@AsmLuisAlejo) October 9, 2015

For Immediate Release
October 9, 2015
Contact: Michelle Reyes
[email protected]
(916) 319-2030
 
Alejo Responds to Veto of Ethnic Studies Bill
Assembly Bill 101 would have given students the opportunity to learn about various cultures, ethnicities, and heritages through a first-ever statewide curriculum.  

 (SACRAMENTO) — Today, Governor Jerry Brown vetoed Assembly Bill 101 authored by Assemblymember Luis Alejo (D-Salinas).  Assembly Bill 101 would have required the State Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) to oversee the development of a model curriculum on Ethnic Studies by establishing an Ethnic Studies Advisory Committee. The State Board of Education (SBE) would have then adopted this model curriculum, so that schools with grades 7-12 may offer an Ethnic Studies course as a Social Science Elective.  Following this announcement from the Governor, Assemblymember Alejo issued the following statement:

“As an individual who has academically, professionally, and personally benefitted from learning about various cultures, ethnicities, and heritages, I believe this is a missed opportunity for students throughout the state.

As the state with one of the largest and most diverse student populations in the country, with over 70 percent of the students being students of color, and more than 90 languages spoken by students, I am disappointed that California is not leading the nation on this groundbreaking piece of legislation.  While an Ethnic Studies course has the potential to broaden and expand a student’s mind when it comes to diversity, better preparing them for the diverse workforce of the 21st century, these courses have also been known to then lead to greater student productivity and learning in other areas, including Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM).
 
Assembly Bill 101 would have been a great opportunity for California to enrich and expand the minds of our students.  Today’s students will be our future and in today’s diverse world, it is ever important that they have an opportunity to learn about cultural diversity.
 
This is not over as this is part of a growing national Ethnic Studies Movement. I will keep fighting until we make AB101 a reality and ensure that every high school student can benefit from an Ethnic Studies class in the future.”  
 
Luis Alejo represents the 30th District in the California State Assembly, which consists of the Salinas Valley, Monterey County, San Benito County, South Santa Clara County and the city of Watsonville in Santa Cruz County.
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Michelle V. Reyes
Press Secretary
Office of Assemblymember Luis A. Alejo
Chair, California Latino Legislative Caucus
[email protected]
P: (916) 319-2030
F: (916) 319-2130