(CALMATTERS) – As schools across California return from summer break, public officials are focusing on diversity amid culture wars infiltrating classrooms.

Gov. Newsom and Brooks Allen, the state’s board of education executive director, sent a letter to public schools on Wednesday, reminding them of the board’s Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum. In 2021, the governor signed a law that requires high schools to offer ethnic studies courses starting in the 2025-26 school year, and that requires students to complete the courses to graduate, starting with the class of 2030.

The model is based on curricula from traditional courses in African American, Native American, Asian/Pacific Islander American and Latinx American studies, though schools have the ability to integrate lessons from other communities.

  • The letter: “The focus on the experiences of these four disciplines provides an opportunity for students to learn of the histories, cultures, struggles, and contributions to American society of these historically marginalized peoples…. all Californian students should see themselves, their classmates, and their community stories reflected in their education.”

The letter also reiterates that materials for ethnic studies courts should not promote discrimination nor any “religious doctrine.”

Meanwhile, Attorney General Rob Bonta gave notice to the Temecula Valley Unified School District board that its Tuesday approval of a policy that requires school staff to notify parents if a student requests to identify as a different gender is “detrimental to the well-being of LGBTQ+ students.”

  • Bonta: “The rise in school districts adopting policies that target California’s vulnerable LGBTQ+ student population is of grave concern. My office is closely monitoring the situation…. We will remain committed to ensuring school policies do not violate students’ civil rights.”

Conservative advocates and school board members elected through the state, at times supported by GOP’s “Parent Revolt” program, have been increasingly butting heads with Democratic politicians against policies they argue strip away “parental rightss.” Temecula Valley Unified’s policy is similar to ones recently passed by Chino Valley Unified and Murrieta Valley Unified. The Temeculaboard also came under fire in June when it banned elementary textbooks over a mention of gay rights pioneer Harvey Milk. After threats of a $1.5 million fine from the governor, the board reversed course.