“Needed Now More Than Ever”: State Laws Instituting K-12 Ethnic Studies After 2020

• In Event: Curricular Policy Development and Implementation: Understanding State and Local Dynamics and Their Implications

Abstract

This qualitative content analysis investigates K-12 ethnic studies legislation passed after 2020’s call for racial justice and the subsequent passage of anti-CRT laws. Using Sleeter and Zavala’s (2020) Hallmarks of Ethnic Studies framework, we analyzed state laws, state standards, and model curricula to determine their intended fidelity to the discipline. Findings indicated that unlike the relative uniformity of anti-CRT legislation (Pollock et al., 2023), ethnic studies laws passed after 2020 have varied widely in purposes, scope, content, and framing of local autonomy for implementation. Sleeter and Zavala's framework illuminated important differences in how each state conceived of ethnic studies and shaped requirements, and how these differences impact the quality of ethnic studies that students may receive.

Authors

• Kyle P. O'Brien, Indiana University

• Ryan Cowden, Gordon College