Ethnic Studies Summit #2

About the Event

From Purpose to Content: Developing Student-Centered High School Ethnic Studies Courses. The Ethnic Studies Summit #2, “From Purpose to Content,” is the second event hosted by the Riverside County Office of Education’s (RCOE) exploration into the development of an ethnic studies mindset, purpose, and student-centered application for Riverside County, California high school districts. The initial RCOE Ethnic Studies Summit held in August 2024 focused on three key assertions made. First, ethnic studies in Riverside County, CA needs to be an inclusive and developmental learning endeavor for high school students. Second, schools need to develop an ethnic studies mindset that focuses students’ connections to their personal interest, familial support, and community involvement within the context of past histories, present experiences, and future aspirations. Third, ethnic studies as an academic discipline embodies scholarship that can be integrated across other academic content areas. The RCOE Ethnic Studies Summit #2 is intended to explore the process Riverside County school districts undertake when high school teachers, district-level leaders, and community members collectively involve themselves in the development of ethnic studies courses. This Summit #2 will include three moderated discussions among panel members representing high school teachers, district-level leaders, and community representatives. The conversations held are intended to provide attendees with a sense of the questions, opportunities, and challenges panelists encountered during the creative process of ethnic studies course development. Participants on the three panels will offer their unique perspectives and experiences on the road to galvanizing support for ethnic studies courses. Audience: Local Educational Agencies (LEA’s), charter schools, ethnic studies teachers, school site administrators, district-level leaders, higher education, community members, and county office leaders.