Here’s What New Legislation Does To Defend Teaching Diversity

By Hannah Asuncion and Lauren Reagan | Special To The OBSERVER A new California law bans local school boards from censoring information about diversity put into textbooks for K-12 public schools. Assembly Bill 1078 prohibits governing boards from refusing to use any textbook, instructional material or other curriculums based on its referring to people from different racial backgrounds, sexual orientations, and gender identities. Districts that fail to comply could face financial penalties. The bill comes after a heated controversy in May in the Temecula Valley Unified School District. That district’s board voted against a social studies curriculum in elementary school that includes material about Harvey Milk, who was a San Francisco politician and gay rights advocate. The board backed down a few weeks later when Gov. Gavin Newsom threatened to fine the district $1.5 million. Supporters of AB 1078 say public schools should have the resources needed for their students to learn more about diverse cultures and important historical facts and events. Opponents, including some parents and school board members, say they are against giving up more control to the state. Dr. Corey A. Jackson (D-Moreno Valley), the bill’s lead author, said it was extremely important to ensure Californians make...