Quick look: California’s plan to make ethnic studies a high school graduation requirement may be on hold — at least for now — because the governor’s budget doesn’t include funding needed to move it forward.
The future of California’s high school ethnic studies requirement is in question after Gov. Gavin Newsom’s revised 2025–26 budget proposal left out funding to implement the mandate.
Assembly Bill 101, signed into law in 2021, established a one-semester ethnic studies course as a graduation requirement beginning with the class of 2030. The law also requires that, starting in the 2025–26 school year, all public high schools — including charter schools — offer at least one semester of ethnic studies.
But both provisions are tied to state funding, but the governor’s latest spending plan for the fiscal year that begins July 1 did not set aside money for implementation. Without an appropriation in the final budget, neither the requirement to offer the course nor the graduation mandate would be in effect.
The lack of funding for ethnic studies is now raising questions for schools and districts across the state. Many have already begun preparing courses, training staff or reviewing curriculum options. Some have adopted ethnic studies as a local graduation requirement, while others remain in earlier stages of planning.
“We understand this creates uncertainty, particularly as districts work to align local plans with evolving guidance and limited resources,” said Orange County Superintendent Dr. Stefan Bean. “While we wish we had more definitive answers at this time, we will continue to monitor developments closely and share updates as they become available.”
Bean encouraged education leaders to continue making decisions that reflect the needs and priorities of their students and communities. The law allows flexibility in how ethnic studies is offered, including through existing courses or those that integrate ethnic studies content and meet A–G requirements.
A final state budget is expected to be adopted in June.