The story behind Mendez v. Westminster, a landmark case in the struggle for school desegregation and civil rights, could potentially become an integral lesson for all California students if a newly unveiled bill receives enough legislative support.
Presented by Assemblyman Tri Ta and Senator Thomas Umberg and in collaboration with civil rights activist Sylvia Mendez, the bill would require the state Board of Education and superintendent of public instruction to place the case alongside Brown v. Board of Education in the state’s academic curriculum.
“People know Brown v. Board of Education, but Mexican Americans were facing similar struggles,” Assemblyman Ta, who served as the mayor for the city of Westminster between 2012 through 2022, said in a press release. “This lawsuit moved the desegregation movement forward and helped protect the rights of everyone, regardless of their ethnic background.”
Mendez v. Westminster represents a crucial milestone in the country’s efforts to end forced segregation in public schools. The case was brought against the Westminster School District by Gonzalo and Felicitas Mendez after the couple tried unsuccessfully to enroll their three children at Westminster’s 17th Street School in 1943. The ruling is considered a precursor to the U.S. Supreme Court’s Brown v. Board of Education decision.
“I worked in the State Senate to secure funding for the Mendez Freedom Trail of Westminster, so I know the power of the Mendez v. Westminster story and its importance for Orange County history, ” Senator Umberg said. “It’s time for our state’s curriculum to acknowledge this trailblazing court case.”
In December 2022, the Mendez family’s groundbreaking influence on public education was cemented in the history of Westminster with the unveiling of the educational and immersive Mendez Tribute Monument Park.
Here are the other stories we’ve been following this week:
- Gov. Gavin Newsom unveiled his proposed budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year on Wednesday, outlining a number of measures to address a projected state budget shortfall of $37.8 billion.
- Two impactful educators and four students were selected for the Orange County Register’s 125 most influential people list of 2023.
- Newport Harbor High School student Ryan Honary talked about his wildfire prevention technology with OCDE Deputy Superintendent Dr. Ramon Miramontes in the department’s new video series, “College and Career Ready.”
- The OCDE Newsroom team released an updated guide to the standards-based competitions and events that the department will play a role in for the next six months.
- The annual Orange County Counselor Symposium will return on Feb. 7 to honor the unique contributions made by local school counselors and counseling advocates.
- The California Department of Public Health updated its COVID-19 isolation and testing guidance to focus more on those most at risk of severe illness while minimizing disruptions to schools and workplaces.
- California ushered in the start of the year with a set of fresh laws, among them a mandate for students in grades one through six to learn how to write in cursive.
- The Fullerton Joint Union High School District’s annual Student Art Show on Jan. 17 at the Muckenthaler Cultural Center will showcase the work of 100 students.
- Lawmakers voted 5 to 2 during a public hearing to advance a bill that aims to reduce the risk of brain injury by banning tackle football for children under 12.
- Anaheim High’s football coach, who led the school to 11 playoff appearances and three Orange League championships, has resigned after 20 seasons to allow him more time to spend with family.
- A nonprofit based in Huntington Beach unveiled a transitional living house for abandoned or severely neglected high school students on Wednesday. The home will provide teens a safe place to stay and grow as they complete high school.
- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean School Bus Program will set aside $88 million to purchase electric school buses for a number of California school districts and county offices of education, including OCDE.
- The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Wednesday that nearly 21 million children are expected to receive food benefits through the summer.
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