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California’s bill to stop local school boards from rejecting ‘diversity’ textbooks has been approved and is now awaiting the governor’s approval.

A California ⁤Bill to Promote Diversity in School Books⁣ Heads to Governor for Approval

A California bill that aims to ensure ‍that school‍ boards​ include books⁢ that accurately represent the cultural and racial diversity of society‌ is now awaiting approval from⁣ Governor Gavin Newsom. The bill, known as Assembly Bill 1078, passed the state Senate floor with a 55-16 vote on September 7.

Previously, the fate of the ​bill was⁣ uncertain as it was placed on the⁤ “suspense file,” which holds bills with​ significant fiscal expenses. ​However, the ⁢Democratic ⁤majority ⁤in the ‌state Senate‌ revived it and pushed it forward.

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If Governor Newsom signs the ‌bill, it will take ⁢effect immediately.

Assemblyman​ Corey Jackson introduced the ‍bill​ in February to⁣ prevent school boards ‌from⁣ excluding books⁤ based on topics related to race,⁣ ethnicity, gender, and sexual orientation.​ To exclude a book for any other ⁤reason, ​a two-thirds supermajority vote by the⁣ school ⁣board would​ be required.

The​ bill also ‍mandates audits of library and classroom books, with potential funding‍ penalties for districts that do not meet the California⁤ Department of Education’s standards for⁢ diverse instructional materials.

Children’s books on gender identity and sexuality in Irvine, Calif.,⁢ on Sept. 7, 2022. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

Assemblyman⁤ Jackson⁤ stated that the ⁣purpose of the bill is to address instances⁢ where books have been removed​ from schools based⁤ on race‌ or sexuality rather than their content or character.

This⁤ year, several ​Southern California school boards, including the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified and Temecula Valley Unified, passed policies banning the teaching of critical race theory. The Temecula Valley Unified board gained attention ⁣when it initially‌ rejected, then later approved, an elementary social studies textbook that⁤ included ⁤LGBT activist Harvey Milk.

The board president, Joseph Komrosky,‌ referred to Milk as ‍a “pedophile” due to reports of a sexual relationship with a ​minor. Governor Newsom threatened to ⁢send ‍copies ​of the⁤ textbook to Temecula students and impose⁤ a $1.5 million fine on ⁣the district if​ they did not approve it. Eventually, the board approved the curriculum ‌with the recommendation to ‍replace the material involving Milk with something more age-appropriate.

Parents in support of the Temecula Valley Unified ‌school board’s decision to terminate the district’s superintendent amid controversy surrounding critical race theory and other school curriculum attend a ‌board meeting ‌in Temecula, Calif., ‍on⁤ June 13, 2023. (Micaela Ricaforte/The Epoch Times)

During a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing, Trustee Jen Wiersma from⁣ Temecula ⁤Valley ⁤Unified and Trustee Sonja Shaw from⁤ Chino ‍Valley Unified expressed opposition to AB 1078. They raised concerns⁤ that the bill could expose school boards to legal‌ risks if they were ​unable to remove inappropriate books and materials.

Ms. Wiersma stated, “[Assembly Bill] 1078 prevents school boards from removing instructional materials, which predisposes school ‍districts⁤ to lawsuits by parents based upon curriculum containing ​sexual harassment and criminal obscenity.”

Ms. Shaw added that the bill was ⁣a “blatant overreach” ​that undermined the power of local boards and disenfranchised voters.‍ She also ⁤argued that it⁣ would ​lead to ‌further financial ⁣difficulties for California and marginalize⁣ parents in the education ⁢process.



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