San Francisco parents concerned over implementation of school district's ethnic studies class
San Francisco Unified School District parents are speaking out now that the district is requiring ninth graders to take a two-semester ethnic studies class.
Just days before the 2024-25 school year, SFUSD sent an email to parents of incoming freshmen notifying them that their kids were enrolled in a yearlong ethnic studies class, something that was previously an elective.
"It's teaching to a particular ideology, not actual history," said parent Viviane Safrin.
She said she supports ethnic studies, but she's concerned about how this course is being implemented.
"This course for our freshman has replaced world history," explained Safrin. "Our ninth graders are saying I took this course already in middle school and why am I having to take it again as a ninth grader for a full year?"
It covers topics like racism, activism, and comparing the merits of capitalism versus socialism.
"When I looked at what was being taught in this course, we've gone too far," said Safrin about what she saw in the curriculum published online. "And it's okay to say we've gone too far."
Parent Scott Kravitz agrees.
"I feel that instead of fostering critical thinking or knowledge, all that we're doing is creating ill-informed activists," Kravitz said.
In 2021, a California bill required all high schools to offer an ethnic studies course by the 2025-2026 school year.
It needs to become a graduation requirement by the 2029-30 school year.
District leaders say they moved forward with the mandate properly, but parent Alex Wong questions that.
"The president of the board at the time, Lainie Motamedi, said, 'Let's slow this down,' and the fact that SFUSD just continued to barrel through kind of just made me hesitant on why is everything being rushed when there's still a lot of questions to be answered about this," Wong said.
Ethnic studies has been offered as an elective for about a decade.
Wong said mandating a two-semester class will leave students missing out on other topics.
"I think the problem with SFUSD is it's a full-year course," said Wong. "The state law only requires one semester. There are only so many days in the school year, and the fact that you're required to take an extra semester and leaves less time to take other classes kids may be interested in."
On the state level, there are still four years before an ethnic studies class is required for graduation.
All the parents CBS Bay Area spoke with hope SFUSD uses the extra time to re-evaluate the course.
"Our city schools are reflective of the best of our society," said Safrin. "We want to raise our kids here and provide the highest quality, rigorous curriculum. Giving our kids many choices and opportunities to learn."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Forbes
15 minutes ago
- Forbes
FINRA Defeats Legal Challenge By Penny Stock Broker Alpine, But Faces Ongoing Legislative Threat
The Supreme Court just declined to hear a penny stock broker's legal challenge to FINRA's constitutionality. Despite it, a new bill aims to strip the self-regulatory body of its key powers, moving them to the SEC. Wall Street's top watchdog, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), faces a pivotal moment amid converging legislative and legal challenges that could potentially reshape the future regulatory landscape. The regulator notched a win on Monday, however, as the Supreme Court declined to hear a penny stock broker's legal challenge to FINRA's constitutionality. Until recently, adding pressure to FINRA's current predicament was its legal battle with Utah-based brokerage Alpine Securities, which was fighting against an expulsion order imposed by the regulator and contended that FINRA's disciplinary process is unconstitutional. In an investigation published in September 2024, Forbes delved into the contentious history between Alpine's owner, John Hurry, and FINRA. Alpine and Hurry's second firm, Phoenix-based Scottsdale Capital Advisors, specialize in 'liquidating' risky penny stocks and have a long track record of enforcement actions brought against them by regulators like FINRA and the SEC. FINRA originally attempted to expel Alpine in March 2022 for rule violations that revolved around the firm spiking customer account fees by 60,000% three years prior and then repeatedly violating a cease-and-desist order. Alpine's subsequent arguments on FINRA's constitutionality hinge on the private nondelegation doctrine and the Appointments Clause, raising questions about the extent to which a private entity and self-regulatory organization can wield governmental power without governmental accountability. A federal appeals court in D.C. sided partially with Alpine in November 2024, ruling that FINRA can no longer expel brokerages like Alpine without first getting approval from the SEC. Alpine then asked the U.S. Supreme Court to completely halt all of the proceedings against them, however, Chief Justice John Roberts denied this request in March 2025, allowing FINRA to continue—though the requirement for SEC review remained. The broader constitutional challenge mounted by Alpine remained in play—with the firm requesting for the Supreme Court to step in and take on the full case. Just last week, the Justices met to discuss the request and on June 2, it was announced that the Supreme Court had turned down Alpine's appeal and declined to take up the case. The decision is a major win for FINRA on one front of a broader battle against threats to the authority of SROs. 'FINRA is pleased with the Supreme Court's ruling,' according to a spokesperson for the organization. 'It is FINRA's position that, for multiple reasons discussed in its brief opposing Alpine's petition for writ of certiorari, the case did not meet the Supreme Court's standards for review.' While FINRA appears to have warded off Alpine's years-long legal challenge, debate around self-regulatory organizations (SROs) continues to persist. At the heart of this continuing discussion is H.R. 2689, the 'Restoring Accountability in Market Supervision (RAMS) Act,' a bill introduced on April 10 by Congresswoman Lisa McClain (R-Mich.). The introduction of this bill by a prominent member of the House Financial Services Committee is a strategically timed move that amplifies existing debate around FINRA as a private SRO. Though brief—consisting of only several pages, the bill never explicitly mentions the financial regulator. The legislation itself proposes to transfer the rule-making, examination, and enforcement authorities of all "registered national securities associations" to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), but McClain has made it clear in public statements that FINRA is her target. 'FINRA has drifted far from its intended purpose of safeguarding investors and ensuring fairness in financial markets,' she said in a press release announcing the bill. 'It's past time for Congress to put an end to FINRA's abuse of its authority,' said McClain. 'This bill puts the power back where it belongs—with a federal agency that is subject to congressional appropriations and oversight.' Requests for comment from Congresswoman McClain's office went unanswered. In response to the mounting scrutiny, FINRA has defended its long-standing role in the financial ecosystem. 'For 85 years, FINRA, the private, self-regulator of broker-dealers, has protected investors, promoted market confidence and safeguarded market integrity at zero cost to the American taxpayer,' a spokesperson for the organization told Forbes. They underscored FINRA's model, which allows it to 'keep pace as capital markets constantly evolve' by taking input from all market participants. FINRA licenses and oversees 628,000 brokers and 3,300 firms including Charles Schwab, Merrill Lynch and Fidelity. It has 4,300 employees and a budget (mostly funded by its members) of $1.5 billion—rivaling the SEC's 5,000 employees and $2.2 billion budget. Experts in financial regulation express considerable skepticism regarding the practical implications of transferring FINRA's vast responsibilities to the SEC. 'This strikes me as really irresponsible to take the cop off the beat without making any provision for additional funding or resources for the SEC to assume FINRA's responsibilities,' says Benjamin Edwards, a professor of law at the William S. Boyd School of Law at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He highlights the sheer scale of FINRA, noting it is roughly as large as the SEC and questioned the logic of transferring its duties without commensurate appropriations for the federal agency. 'The SEC simply does not have the capacity to take over FINRA's operations,' he says, concluding, 'I doubt this legislation has any serious chance of passing.' Alma Angotti, a former senior enforcement attorney at both the SEC and FINRA who now works as a senior managing director at FTI Consulting, echoed these concerns. 'The SEC absolutely could not absorb FINRA's functions, which include regulation, inspections, and enforcement, without a significant increase in funding and personnel," she says. FINRA employs a large number of people working in each of those functions, she notes: 'It's hard to see how the SEC could perform them with significantly fewer personnel.' Angotti also highlighted the financial implications, noting that while FINRA is industry-supported, if the SEC were to take over, it would likely need to impose significant additional fees on industry members to fund any new activities. Angotti further warns of potential regulatory gaps during such a transition: 'At least for a while, there is going to be a lot of uncovered territory... Nobody is going to be enforcing it in theory.' She emphasizes the value of FINRA's self-regulatory model, particularly the input from industry experts whose contributions to rules and training were invaluable during her time working at the organization. The legislative push by Congresswoman McClain is not an isolated event but rather part of a broader trend of intensified scrutiny facing FINRA. Some experts have noted that the bill could be a signal of support for the Project 2025 agenda, which calls for abolishing FINRA. McClain and other Republicans like Representative Ann Wagner (R-Mo.) have characterized FINRA as an 'overzealous and unaccountable quasi-governmental entity' that imposes 'unnecessary and excessive costs' on the industry. Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), the highest-ranking Democrat on the House Financial Services Committee, has also been vocal, criticizing the regulator for being 'controlled by the financial industry,' imposing 'weaker penalties' and lacking a cap on executive compensation. Congresswoman Waters did not respond to requests for comment by press time. The self-regulatory model still faces unprecedented levels of scrutiny and debate. While experts like Edwards and Angotti doubt the immediate passage of the McClain bill due to the immense logistical challenges of having the SEC absorb FINRA's functions, there is a consensus that some internal reforms, particularly around enforcement and arbitration processes, are likely inevitable. The debate now has more broadly grown into one about the fundamental balance between industry self-regulation and direct governmental oversight of markets. The outcome of these converging pressures and subsequent decisions could shape the future of financial market regulation for years to come.
Bloomberg
16 minutes ago
- Bloomberg
Uber Promotes Company Veteran to COO as CEO Says He's Not Going ‘Anywhere'
Uber Technologies Inc. named longtime executive Andrew Macdonald as its first chief operating officer since 2019, part of an executive shake-up that includes the departure of the company's top delivery leader. Pierre-Dimitri Gore-Coty, senior vice president of delivery, has decided to leave Uber after nearly 13 years, Chief Executive Officer Dara Khosrowshahi said in a memo seen by Bloomberg News.
CNN
16 minutes ago
- CNN
The best Amazon Father's Day gifts to surprise your dad with this year
Amazon Father's Day gifts quick picks For his self-care days: Therabody SmartGoggles Heated Eye Mask & Eye Massager (2nd Gen) A comfy pair of travel shoes: Allbirds Men's Tree Runners A new backpack to carry to the office: Peak Design Everyday Backpack For his emergency kit: The Midland ER310 Emergency Radio For his home office: Alera Elusion Series Mesh Multifunction Chair Finding a Father's Day gift that won't end up stashed in a closet or drawer a few weeks later can be tricky. Thankfully, Amazon is a one-stop shop for gifts that are sure to please, whether you're looking to buy your dad a pair of headphones or an electric razor. To help you find a gift that'll actually be put to good use, our team of gift-giving experts rounded up some of the best Father's Day gifs from Amazon for every budget. Looking for additional gift inspiration for Dad this year? Check out our favorite Father's Day gifts under $50 and our favorite practical gifts. Kona BBQ Grill Brush If Dad's grill brush has seen better days, it may be time to get him a new one. The Kona Grill Brush topped the competition pool during testing thanks to its ability to safely and effectively clean grill grates. Our testing team also found that its larger brush head made it quicker and easier to clean with than others. Read our review Marchy Floating Waterproof Dry Bag This waterproof dry bag is just what Dad needs for his next boating or camping trip. The roll-top bag is made from puncture-resistant ripstop tarpaulin and is designed to float on water so it can be easily retrieved. Juvale Plush Eyeglass Stand, 2-Pack Put an end to lost reading glasses by gifting Dad these stylish faux leather holders. This set features a plush interior lining to help protect his specs from any unwanted scratches. Honest Amish Beard Balm Does your dad have a beard that could use a little TLC? This leave-in conditioner is made with conditioning ingredients like shea butter and aloe to help soften his beard and prevent itching as he grows out his facial hair. Bushwick Kitchen Bees Knees Spicy Honey Perfect for drizzling over chicken wings, pizza and more, this hot honey sauce from Bushwick Kitchen will quickly become his new favorite condiment. If he likes to add a sweet but spicy kick to his food, then you can't go wrong with gifting him a bottle of this golden goodness. LifeStraw Personal Water Filter This personal water filter is an excellent gift for the dad who loves spending all his time outdoors. It's able to filter out microplastics and 99.9% of waterborne bacteria and parasites, making it an invaluable tool for Dad to have with him on his next camping trip. Plus, it's the perfect addition to any emergency preparedness kit. Read our review Asvine Fountain Pen If you're looking for a practical present to gift your dad, look no further than this sleek fountain pen. It comes in several colors, including a bright blue that's perfect for the dad who isn't afraid to go bold and it even comes with a metal carrying case. Dash Deluxe Mini Maker Don't be surprised if the Dash Deluxe Mini Maker quickly becomes your dad's new favorite appliance. We love that this tiny, budget-friendly gadget can heat up within minutes and features a nonstick surface to make cleanup a breeze. Knock Knock What I Love About Dad Fill In The Love Book If you're looking for a more sentimental gift for your dad, this fill-in-the-blank journal is a sweet way to remind him how much he's loved. Just be sure to gift it to him with a box of tissues. Wittsy 'My Favorite Child Gave Me This Mug' Mug Dad may have plenty of coffee mugs in the cabinet already, but this cheeky one will undoubtedly become his favorite. It can hold up to 11 ounces of liquid and it's dishwasher- and microwave-safe. Bagsmart Electronics Organizer There's a reason CNN Underscored readers love this organizer so much. With plenty of space for all of Dad's tech accessories, it will make toting his electronic devices and all their corresponding cables into the office or on vacation so much easier. The Book Of Terribly Awesome Dad Jokes As the title of this book implies, this budget-friendly Amazon find is filled to the brim with hilarious "dad jokes" that will have him in a stitch. Will Well Adjustable Bib Apron A simple yet thoughtful gift for the dad who always ends up knee-deep in pizza sauce is a stain-resistant apron like this one. We love that it has an adjustable neck strap, waist ties and two large front pockets for his phone and glasses. Rak Magnetic Wristband Make life easier for Dad by getting him this magnetic wristband, which can hold things like screws and drill bits. It's a present he's sure to get a lot of use out of, especially if he's always fixing things around the house. Northwind Personalized Leather Keychain Sometimes, a sweet, personalized gift for Father's Day is the way to go. If you're stumped on what to get him, we recommend surprising him with a leather keychain that has his name stamped on it. He'll be able to put all his keys on it so they don't get lost, and it'll remind him of you every time he leaves the house. Urban Accents Movie Night Popcorn 8-Piece Variety Pack Give Dad something else to look forward to on family movie nights by gifting him this delicious gift set. It comes with three varieties of popcorn kernels and five mouthwatering seasonings to make popcorn more flavorful. Spicy Chili Lime, anyone? Host Freezer Pint Glass For those hot summer days, this insulated glass is just what Dad needs to keep his beer frosty. Made from BPA-free plastic, the walls of the glass feature the brand's proprietary cooling gel to keep everything from stout to cider nice and cold even in the sweltering heat. Dr. Squatch Natural Bar Soap for Men Variety Gift Set This gift set features the brand's cold-processed soap bars in five scents: Rainforest Rapids, Coconut Castaway, Fresh Falls, Summer Citrus and Eucalyptus Greek Yogurt. Specially formulated for men and made with skin-loving ingredients like shea butter and kaolin clay, they're the perfect way to jazz up Dad's self-care routine. Cuisinart Cast-Iron Grill Press With Wooden Handle For the guy who takes his grilling to heart, a heavy-duty cast-iron grill press is a great way to help him up his grill skills. Featuring a heat-resistant handle that's comfortable to grip, this press can be used to make burgers, paninis and more at the next family BBQ. Victorinox Camper Swiss Army Knife If you're looking for a fuss-free, practical gift for your dad, this Swiss army knife features tools like a wood saw, screwdriver and corkscrew. If he's an outdoorsman, he'll appreciate being able to slip this handy multitool in his pocket or backpack the next time he's heading out. Conair Men Ear, Nose and Eyebrow Hair Trimmer Kit Dealing with rogue hairs is no fun, which is where a handy grooming kit comes in. This compact Conair trimmer, which our outdoors, sustainable living, and pets editor loves, can safely trim unwanted ear, nose and eyebrow hair. In his review, he praised its precision, small size and ease of use. Read our review Vobaga Mug Warmer If Dad's coffee is always going cold, it may be time to get him a mug warmer. Complete with three temperature settings, this one has an auto-shutoff function and a sleek design that won't be an eyesore on his desk. Smokehouse by Thoughtfully Ultimate Grilling Spice Set, 20-Pack For the guy who would grill every day of the week if he could, a thoughtfully curated spice set for grilling is a no-brainer. With 20 seasoning mixes — including a Memphis BBQ one we've got our eyes on — he'll have a blast experimenting with different flavor profiles. Teslyar Wood Phone Docking Station If Dad's nightstand could benefit from a little organization, this chic wooden docking station has plenty of space for him to store his reading glasses, phone and any small trinkets. Truff Starter Pack If he's obsessed with truffle fries and fancy aioli sauces, give him the tool kit to make his own gourmet creations at home. Enter this starter pack, featuring Truff's Black Truffle Hot Sauce, Black Truffle Oil and Black Truffle Sea Salt that are guaranteed to make him feel like a pro chef. Thermacell Patio Shield E55 Mosquito Repellent E-Series Rechargeable Repeller Most of us can agree that having a bunch of mosquitos buzzing around you can quickly turn your backyard from a haven to a nightmare. With this lightweight mosquito repeller, which has a 20-foot radius, Dad will be able to sit back and relax in his favorite lawn chair without the fear of being bit. Read our review AeroPress Original Coffee and Espresso Maker A favorite among several CNN Underscored editors, including associate writer Maxwell Shukuya, this espresso maker can create a delicious cup of coffee in just minutes. As a self-proclaimed AeroPress convert, Shukuya praised the coffee maker for being easy to use, portable and durable. Read our review Oofos Unisex Ooahh Slide Slippers A comfy pair of sandals would make a great gift, especially for a dad who's on his feet a lot. These feature the brand's patented footbeds, which are designed to cushion and support your feet. They also have the American Podiatric Medical Association's (APMA) seal of acceptance, which is awarded to shoes that promote good foot health. The Midland ER310 Emergency Radio In the face of an emergency, Dad will be glad he has the Midland ER310 Emergency Radio, which is the best we've tested. Our team of testers praised the radio for being durable, easy to carry and able to provide just under 30 minutes of radio time after a minute of hand our review Rhone Reign Men's Workout Shirt Every guy should have a moisture-wicking shirt in their wardrobe. We love that this stylist-approved top is odor-resistant and has a UPF rating of 50+, making it a great choice for outdoor activities this summer. Allbirds Men's Tree Runners If he's in need of a comfortable pair of shoes, these ones from Allbirds are designed with flexible and breathable uppers and cushioned insoles. They'll quickly become his go-to for everything from running errands to traveling. Read our review Leatherology Thin Bifold Wallet Upgrade your dad's wallet by surprising him with this luxe leather one. Dubbed the best bifold wallet by our team of testers, it's well-made, so you can be confident it will last him years. Read our review Twelve South HiRise 3 Deluxe Magsafe Charging Stand This charging stand lets Dad quickly charge his phone, AirPods and smartwatch in one spot. Plus, it has a faux leather covering that makes it extra luxe and doubles as decor. Panasonic Arc5 Electric Razor We love that this electric razor is cord-free, so he doesn't have to worry about having an outlet nearby. With the Arc5, he'll be able to trim everything from his beard to his mustache with ease. Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2024) If the ideal beach day for Dad involves him getting lost in a good book, an e-reader may make things easier for him. The 2024 model of the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite is one of our favorites, thanks to its easy page-turning and water resistance. Read our review Alera Elusion Series Mesh Multifunction Chair No home office is complete without a comfy desk chair, which is why the Alera Elusion Series Mesh Multifunction Chair would make a great addition to his workspace. We love that this chair is adjustable and has a cushioned seat for comfort. Read our review Ugg Men's Ascot Slipper These supportive slippers are perfect for wearing around the house, thanks to their comfortable wool linings and water-resistant uppers. Loftie Alarm Clock For the dad looking to improve his sleep quality, the Loftie Alarm Clock is a great pick. We love that this sound machine and alarm clock can be programmed with a custom morning and evening routine. Therabody SmartGoggles Heated Eye Mask & Eye Massager (2nd Gen) This heated eye mask and eye massager is a great tool for helping to relieve headaches. Featuring a blackout design to prevent light from getting in and contoured cushioning, he'll be transported into a relaxed state in no time. Sony WH-1000XM6 If Dad needs a new pair of headphones, we can't recommend our top pick for the best wireless over-ear headphones enough. With a 30-hour battery life, noise-cancellation and intuitive touch controls, these will quickly become his go-to headphones for trips and commuting. Read our review Garmin Venu 3S Smart Watch Perfect for any dad looking to hit his fitness goals, this stylist-recommended smart watch would make a great Father's Day gift. Ooni Karu 12 Multi-Fuel Outdoor Pizza Oven Instead of ordering in, this outdoor pizza oven with foldable legs lets Dad make his own. At just under 27 pounds, he'll be able to move it around in the backyard or take it with him on his next camping trip. Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 A portable bonfire like Solo Stove's is just what's needed to cozy up the atmosphere. If Dad considers the backyard his sanctuary, the Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 would make a great addition to his space. Peak Design Everyday Backpack CNN Underscored's electronics writer, Henry T. Casey, is a big fan of this travel backpack from Peak Design thanks to its clever interior design. If Dad needs a new bag to make commuting into the office easier, we can't recommend this one enough. Read our review Oura Ring 4 With a longer battery life than the previous model, the Oura Ring 4 is an excellent fitness tracker for any dad looking to monitor his health. Travelpro Platinum Elite Hardside Expandable Carry-On Luggage There's no doubt having a reliable suitcase makes traveling significantly less stressful. The Travelpro Platinum Elite Hardside Expandable Carry-On Luggage is made from a durable polycarbonate hard shell that can withstand rough handling at the airport. It also has external USB A and C ports and a well-organized interior to keep things tidy. No matter where you're shopping, the key to find a great gift for the dad or father figure in your life is to consider their interests and needs. If he's been wearing the same shoes for years on end, it may be time to get him a new pair that's just as comfortable, especially if his current ones are showing serious signs of wear. If he loves to read but never has enough space in his carry-on for all his beach books, getting him a Kindle may be a great move. Taking his personality into consideration is important, too. Gifting him something he'll use often, like a razor, is perfect for the more practical dad. Likewise, if he's the more sentimental type, gifting him a mug or something personalized that reminds him how incredible he is is a great move. When shopping on Amazon specifically, you can also search for gifting inspiration under the 'New Releases' or 'Movers & Shakers' sections on the site if you're looking for the latest and greatest. We know you get tired of seeing the same gift ideas year after year, which is why CNN Underscored editors carefully curate each gift guide to include a selection of products tailored to the person, hobby or event you're shopping for (though, if you're seeing some repeat products in our coverage, it probably just means we really love them). To make sure each gift you give is a hit, we include products hand-tested by our team, foolproof presents we've given to someone (or have been given), the newest products from our favorite brands and other trending items taking over our social feeds. For this article, associate editor Rachel Dennis scoured the internet in search of the best Amazon Father's Day gifts and also included items our editors love.
