COUNTERPOINT: Proponents of diversity shouldn’t be so quick to criticize ethnic studies veto

Last Thursday, Gov. Jerry Brown vetoed bill AB 101 advocating ethnic studies in the California school curriculum. Drafted by Assemblyman Luis Alejo, the proposal aimed to promote learning objectives centered on inclusiveness. Though the bill introduces many aspects of education absent from the system so far, more faith should be placed upon the Instructional Quality Committee, an advisory entity of the State Board of Education.

It seems unlikely that Brown would ignore a chance to further diversity, especially in a state where 207 unique languages are spoken and more than a quarter of the population is made up of minorities. And he hasn’t. In a statement addressing Alejo’s proposed legislation, Brown recognized the need for ethnic studies but ultimately deemed AB 101 superfluous due to the current revision of the IQC.

Composed of 11 different committees with hundreds of academic instructors responsible for specific academic areas, the IQC is taking active steps in pursuing a curriculum to better reflect the California student population’s needs. For example, a workshop entitled “Ensuring Equity: Honoring the Cultural and Linguistic Diversity of California’s Children and Youth” is scheduled to be presented this week to teachers throughout the state. An updated, more comprehensive English Language Arts and Development framework is scheduled to be unveiled next year. Additionally, according to its guide to social content, the IQC oversees the accurate portrayal of “cultural and racial diversity of American society; the male and female roles; and the contributions of minority groups, the disabled, gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered individuals” in academic texts and environments. And one of their projects aims to instill cultural pride in each child’s heritage. The IQC’s laundry list of contributions to the school system, though flawed and still incomplete, are innumerable.

Furthermore, compared to Alejo’s tactics, the IQC is the most optimal platform to implement reform in the education system. Though school boards in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Pico Rivera are now requiring diversity classes for graduation, these programs have worked on a microcosmic scale. Spearheaded by one force, this diversity-centered course directive is limited and cannot apply to all schools in California. For it to go further, a simpler version must be drafted, which might not be what Alejo originally intended. The IQC, with larger funds and the government’s support, can work to see that courses empowering minorities will be applied in all subject areas.

There’s no denying that California public schools still need to advance in their support of minorities. With an obvious achievement discrepancy, the diversity issue is currently being remedied by the IQC, a body of experienced teachers dedicated to get students excited about learning. In the end, Alejo’s passion is commendable, but if he partnered with the IQC for their expertise and resources, more students would benefit. So, before people jump the gun in expressing their discontent with Brown, let’s wait and see what the IQC has in store.

Danni Wang is a junior majoring in psychology. She is also the lifestyle editor of the Daily Trojan. “Point/Counterpoint” runs Mondays.