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Ethnic Studies
Curriculum & Instruction » Ethnic Studies Implementation Plan

Ethnic Studies Implementation Plan

The CVUSD curriculum will be built in advance of the 2025-2026 school year through a collaborative process that will involve teachers, local community members, staff members, students and Ethnic Studies experts. CVUSD will be partnering with the Liberated Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum Coalition (LESMCC) to provide professional development for our teachers. All professional development will be facilitated by expert Ethnic Studies practitioners, faculty and scholars. We have NOT and will not be purchasing a boxed curriculum. Curriculum will be created by teachers.
 
 The table below illustrates the process through which this course will be developed.
Phase 1
 Actions and Structures Prior to Implementation
  • Construct a District Ethnic Studies Framework and Action Plan
  • Create Ethnic Studies Resolution for graduation requirement
  • Establish Ethnic Studies Committees:

    Executive/Steering Committee: This group is made up of teachers and administrators. They will review, coordinate, and guide the rollout of Ethnic Studies.

    Community Advisory Committee: This committee includes subcommittees representing the four focal groups: Indigenous/Native American, Black/African-American, Latino/a/e, Asian and Pacific Islanders. Guides the district implementation process by providing input into and reviewing  the curriculum and professional development process.

    Ethnic Studies Curriculum and Professional Development Team: This committee is made up of lead teachers from each of the secondary schools as well as the Ethnic Studies teacher on special assignment and district DEI Coordinator.  Develops and refines unit lesson plans to be used  for Ethnic Studies. Helps to rollout professional development and support sites with  implementation.
Phase 2
 Development: Curriculum and Professional Development 
  • Ethnic Studies Introduction Sessions
  • Summer Curriculum Development
  • Monthly Weekend/Afterschool Development Sessions during 2022-2023 school years
  • Selection of development team
Phase 3 Pilot Ethnic Studies Courses/Units
  • 2022-2023 Middle School pilot of 6th grade wheel and 8th grade elective course at both middle schools
  • Pilot high school Ethnic Studies in 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 school year 
Phase 4
Evaluation
  • Student Surveys 
  • Ethnic Studies Teacher Feedback
  • Student Data (ex. attendance and academic progress)
  • Committee review of feedback and courses. 
Phase 5
Approval
  • Public course information and text review
  • Board Approval
In order to get input about the experiences, contributions and perspectives of the four focal groups within Ethnic Studies, we will convene committees. These committees' input  will help to guide the district’s curriculum development and implementation process. 
 
During the 2022-2023 school year, Canyon and Creekside Middle Schools will pilot an Intro to Ethnic Studies class as  a part of the 6th grade wheel. A more in depth Intro to Ethnic Studies class pilot will continue as an 8th grade elective at Canyon and include the course at Creekside as well. These courses will be aligned with the upcoming  9th grade course.
 
Castro Valley High School Ethnic Studies teachers will begin curriculum development during the summer of 2022 and continue this process throughout the 2022-2023 school year. The curriculum will be piloted during the 2023-2024 school year.
 
An evaluation process will be created for our Ethnic Studies courses that will allow us to adjust as needed.