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KPBS Midday Edition

San Diego Unified Ethnic Studies Expansion Sparks Debate Over How Race Taught In Schools

The San Diego Unified School District headquarters is shown on March 19, 2020.
Zoë Meyers
The San Diego Unified School District headquarters is shown on March 19, 2020.

Earlier this week, the San Diego Unified School Board unanimously approved a plan that will integrate anti-racism and ethnic studies education into its curriculum.

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The vote was preceded by a protest of roughly two dozen people who were opposed to the effort — with some equating the new curriculum to components of critical race theory.

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This expansion of ethnic studies comes at a time of heightened racial awareness in San Diego, where many are considering how racism should be confronted in the classroom — especially after several racist incidents at local high schools.

San Diego Unified Board President Richard Barrera joined Midday Edition on Thursday to discuss the scope of the new curriculum and some of the debate around it.

The San Diego Unified School Board voted unanimously to fund an expansion of ethnic studies and anti-racism training, prompting some debate in the community over how much racism should be confronted in the classroom.