District outlines freshman ethnic-studies course to meet AB 101 requirement
May 08, 2026 | Simi Valley Unified, School Districts, California
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District staff told the board they are developing a locally tailored ethnic studies course to meet AB 101's 2025-26 graduation requirement.
Dr. Angelica Chavez, who has led the work, said the district convened a guiding coalition of teachers, counselors, administrators, college faculty and community members to draft units and lesson templates. "We decided that we wanted to create a unique course for Simi Valley," she said, describing partnerships with local historians and the Reagan Library and noting the course will emphasize civic engagement and community-connected projects.
Staff said the preferred model is a freshman semester ethnic-studies course backed by health and supplemented by a Freshman Seminar that embeds college-and-career readiness standards. Presenters said they plan to finish lesson plans by July and hold a May review with the guiding coalition.
On credentialing and scheduling, presenters told trustees the course would be taught by history-credentialed teachers after targeted professional development; staff also said they are exploring whether AP Human Geography or summer options could satisfy the requirement for some students.
Board members praised the committee's outreach and asked for further detail on schedules for families and how the course will integrate with existing graduation requirements. Staff said additional presentations and an a-g committee review will follow in April and May.
The district described the plan as a locally grounded approach intended to preserve rigorous standards while reflecting community context.
Dr. Angelica Chavez, who has led the work, said the district convened a guiding coalition of teachers, counselors, administrators, college faculty and community members to draft units and lesson templates. "We decided that we wanted to create a unique course for Simi Valley," she said, describing partnerships with local historians and the Reagan Library and noting the course will emphasize civic engagement and community-connected projects.
Staff said the preferred model is a freshman semester ethnic-studies course backed by health and supplemented by a Freshman Seminar that embeds college-and-career readiness standards. Presenters said they plan to finish lesson plans by July and hold a May review with the guiding coalition.
On credentialing and scheduling, presenters told trustees the course would be taught by history-credentialed teachers after targeted professional development; staff also said they are exploring whether AP Human Geography or summer options could satisfy the requirement for some students.
Board members praised the committee's outreach and asked for further detail on schedules for families and how the course will integrate with existing graduation requirements. Staff said additional presentations and an a-g committee review will follow in April and May.
The district described the plan as a locally grounded approach intended to preserve rigorous standards while reflecting community context.
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