FAIR Education Act

The FAIR Education Act (also known as Senate Bill 48) was signed into law in 2011. It requires that California public schools provide Fair, Accurate, Inclusive and Respectful representations of our diverse ethnic and cultural population in the K-12 grade history and social studies curriculum.

According to the FAIR Education Act, instruction in history/ social science shall include the following ethnic and cultural populations in the teaching California and United States history:

• Both men and women;
• Native Americans;
• African Americans;
• Mexican Americans;
• Asian Americans;
• Pacific Islanders;
• European Americans;
• Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Americans;
• Persons with disabilities;

Members of other ethnic and cultural groups, to the economic, political, and social development of California and the United States of America, with particular emphasis on portraying the role of these groups in contemporary society

For Parents

These updated education guidelines require a factual, inclusive, age-appropriate teaching of history. They empower parents to provide input about social studies lessons at the local level and give clarity about what students will or will not learn in the classroom. Lessons about morality or the intimate details of historical figures’ lives are not part of the law and are left entirely for parents to discuss at home.

For Teachers

The FAIR Education Act is to be implemented in social science classes in all grades. As part of this work, SCUSD is available to support teachers and the school community to create and maintain a safe and respectful classroom environment.

The law provides no additional funding for new textbooks.

For Students

All students should expect to have respectful class work and assignments regarding the populations designated by the FAIR Education Act.

All SCUSD students are protected from bias and/or harassment in any school-related activities, discussions, or assignments.

Students may not opt out of school assignments and projects that relate to the FAIR Education Act. The FAIR Education Act is in alignment with the values and mission of SCUSD.