CCCESFC
Starting in 2021-2021, Assembly Bill 1460 requires California State University freshmen students to complete one 3-unit Ethnic Studies course as part of their general education requirement for graduation. This course must be focused on one of four core ethnic groups that include Native American studies, African American studies, Asian American studies or Latina/o /Chicano studies.
The bill was introduced by Assembly member Dr. Shirley Weber (79th District) in February of 2019. It successfully passed the state Assembly a year ago and also more recently in the Senate (June, 2020). According to the California Faculty Association, the new law will make California the first state to require Ethnic Studies as a university graduation requirement.
* AB1460 Requiring Ethnic Studies in the CSU -
California Assembly Bill AB 1460
Cormorant Assemblymember Dr. Shirley Weber discusses the value of Ethnic Studies to California State Legislators.
AB 1460 Implications for CCCs
So how does this impact California Community Colleges? Not all of the 23 CSU campuses currently have Ethnic Studies departments or programs. This allows community colleges an opportunity to play an important role in supporting students' completion of this graduation requirement before transferring. It also provides an alternative pathway for university students to meet this mandate through dual enrollment with community college campuses if they are unable to secure these classes at their home campus. All in all this is a winning situation for the students and both higher education systems in service to their undergraduates and the community at large.
“Gov. Newsom, by signing AB 1460, has demonstrated his understanding of the power of a true ethnic studies graduation requirement to change people’s lives and to change the racial trajectory this state and country are on,”
- Charles Toombs, CSU Faculty Association, President.