California School District Agrees to Revise Ethnic Studies Curriculum Amid Antisemitism Allegations

California School District Agrees to Revise Ethnic Studies Curriculum Amid Antisemitism Allegations

The Santa Ana Unified School District has reached a settlement that prevents the continuation of its ethnic studies curriculum, which has been accused of harboring antisemitic content. This decision follows a lawsuit filed by prominent Jewish advocacy groups, including the Brandeis Center, the Anti-Defamation League, and the American Jewish Committee.

Under this agreement, the district must cease instruction on courses such as Ethnic Studies World Geography, Ethnic Studies World Histories, and Ethnic Studies: Perspectives, Identities, and Social Justice. The courses will be restructured with public input, ensuring compliance with California’s open meeting laws and standards.

Settlement Marks a Reformative Approach

Marci Miller, the director of legal investigations at the Brandeis Center, oversaw the lawsuit and played a key role in negotiating the settlement. She expressed her belief that the outcome sends a crucial message to school districts across the country: using ethnic studies to propagate antisemitism is unacceptable.

Miller articulated the hope that this incident would serve as a cautionary tale for other school districts contemplating a similar path. She stated that curriculum creation must involve transparency and public engagement to avoid the pitfalls that arose in Santa Ana.

Santa Ana District’s Response

In a statement, the Santa Ana Unified School District expressed satisfaction at having resolved the lawsuit amicably. Superintendent Jerry Almendarez emphasized that the district has never endorsed teaching content that disparages any group based on religion, race, ethnicity, or national origin. He asserted that the settlement clarifies any misunderstandings that led to the lawsuit.

Despite the district’s claims, the settlement does not denote any findings of wrongdoing regarding the alleged violations of California’s Brown Act, which addresses public participation in government actions. Notably, the ethnic studies committee can continue its work, now with an emphasis on public input to review and potentially modify course content.

Allegations of Antisemitism Raised

However, the allegations raised by Jewish organizations painted a starkly different picture. According to ADL Vice President James Pasch, past members of the Santa Ana board and its committees acted with awareness of antisemitic undertones in the curriculum and intentionally kept the public—particularly the Jewish community—at bay. He reaffirmed that open meeting laws exist to safeguard against such misconduct.

Pasch remarked that the implications of this case extend beyond Santa Ana, warning that any school administration violating laws to introduce materials infused with antisemitism would face judicial action.

Revising the Curriculum

The settlement obliges the Santa Ana district to recognize the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as a complex and controversial subject. The educators must strictly follow two established policies when addressing this topic. Instruction must convey factual information, ensuring diverse perspectives are included, while also upholding an impartial teaching environment free from personal bias.

Additionally, the district will disband its controversial Steering Committee and end its association with an outside consultant known for antisemitic remarks. The Brandeis Center has indicated that these measures are crucial for removing antisemitic content from the curriculum, allowing the Ethnic Studies World Histories course to remain operational for the remainder of the school year.

Legal Actions and Advocacy

This settlement arises from a lawsuit filed in September 2023 by the Brandeis Center, advocating for the civil and human rights of Jewish people, and Southern Californians for Unbiased Education. Following new evidence presented in August 2024, the organizations highlighted that the Santa Ana district hindered public input from crucial community voices, namely the Jewish population.

California’s Brown Act, along with AB 101 passed in 2021, mandates that school boards must inform the public about proposed curricular changes and allow for community feedback prior to approval. These legal frameworks are intended to foster an educational environment devoid of bias, bigotry, and discrimination.

Concerns Over Antisemitic Content

The lawsuit revealed deeply troubling statements made by members of the district’s Ethnic Studies Steering Committee, who purportedly suggested addressing the