Legislation

What began as a promising civil-rights bill to protect Jewish and Israeli-American students in California’s public schools has been gutted beyond recognition.

Political power is the key to combating antisemitism in our schools and communities. From school boards to Congress, learn why building influence at all levels of government is essential to protecting Jewish students and ensuring a future free from hate.

PeerK12 has done the homework for you - so all you have to do is get caught up by reading our notes. Below are the top level details about the new California Ethnic Studies Assembly Bill 1468, and our analysis of how effective these provisions will be in protecting the civil rights of not only Jewish students and teachers, but also all students who might be affected if this bill passes - or fails to pass.

The 2025–26 California state budget presented by Governor Gavin Newsom last month notably fails to allocate funding for Assembly Bill 101 (AB101) - yet another glaring reminder of the rushed and ill-conceived nature of the requirement for districts to offer Ethnic Studies courses. As spelled out in the bill – without funding, it is not mandated – which means districts do not need to implement it.

The ethnic studies battle extends beyond education—it represents a battle for the ideological future of America’s youth. It is also a crucial issue for the American Jewish community, which faces the risk of further division or, alternatively, the opportunity for unity in the fight against this radicalization.

On October 26, 2021, the San Diego Union School District Board of Trustees unanimously passed a Resolution Condemning Antisemitism, which was co-authored by Student Board Member Zachary Patterson and Vice-President Dr. Sharon Whitehurst-Payne.