FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 7, 2025

California Department of Education Rules That District Ethnic Studies Curriculum Discriminated Against Jewish Students

Campbell, CA — On Friday, April 4, 2025, the California Department of Education’s (CDE) Direct Investigations Office issued a landmark decision, finding that Campbell Union High School District’s (CUHSD) Ethnic Studies curriculum “materials and instruction failed to represent a group of students based on that group’s legally protected characteristics of race or ethnicity.” The report concluded that CUHSD's instructional materials and practices discriminated against Jewish students, marking the first such determination of its kind in California.

This decision is the culmination of more than a year of dedicated advocacy by CUHSD parents in collaboration with the Bay Area Jewish Coalition Education & Advocacy (BAJC-EA), a grassroots organization focused on combating antisemitism in schools and beyond.

Following unsuccessful efforts to collaborate with district leadership to bring the Ethnic Studies curriculum into alignment with board policies, community values, and the California Education Code, concerned parents filed a formal Uniform Complaint Procedure (UCP) complaint with CUHSD. When the district failed to address the issues raised, the BAJC-EA, representing the families, escalated the matter in an appeal to the California Department of Education.

The State’s investigation revealed multiple violations, including non-compliance with controversial issues, policies and anti-discrimination requirements. The CDE's report concluded that Jewish students were specifically discriminated against by Ethnic Literature lessons characterizing Israel as a "settler colonial state" and a classroom slide titled “Genocide of Palestinians.” The CDE found that these materials and the teacher’s handling of them violated Education Code Section 51500, which prohibits instruction that is biased based on race or ethnicity, and Education Code Section 220, which bars discrimination based on protected characteristics. BAJC Executive Director Oded Shekel said, “This determination proves that the lack of clear standards and guardrails that keep Ethnic Studies courses inclusive can be weaponized to hurt students.”

“This is a critical milestone for ensuring education is accessible and equitable for all students,” said Ivy Chesser, a CUHSD parent involved in the complaint. “We’re deeply grateful to BAJC-EA for standing with families to protect our Jewish children from political bias and discrimination in the classroom.”

BAJC-EA urges school districts and parents across California to take note of this important precedent and commit to upholding educational environments that are free from bias, discrimination, and indoctrination. 

Press Contact:
Email: media.bajc@gmail.com

About the Bay Area Jewish Coalition Education and Advocacy (BAJC-EA):
The Bay Area Jewish Coalition Education and Advocacy (BAJC-EA) is a grassroots organization dedicated to ensuring that Jewish communities can thrive and live safely in the Bay Area. BAJC-EA addresses the threat of antisemitism through education, community organizing, and legal action. In K–12 schools, BAJC-EA supports hundreds of families and educators by offering inclusive education training and actionable resources through its platform, www.ActNowK12.org.