The Work of Implementing Ethnic Studies: Policy Considerations From a District-Wide Initiative

• In Event: Enacting Curriculum Policy Reform With Equity and Inclusion Goals: Exploring Barriers and Possibilities

Abstract

With a statewide Ethnic Studies (ES) graduation requirement on the horizon in California, little is known about the design, implementation, and evaluation of successful scaled-up ES initiatives. In a large urban school district, diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) personnel led the implementation of the district’s ES initiatives. This study distills and examines policy-relevant dynamics by examining the work of these administrators as captured in semi-structured interviews, field observations, and key documents. We argue that the work of these particular central district administrators encompass important policy implications for the organizational challenges associated with implementing ES statewide.

Author

• James Fabionar, University of San Diego