3 days ago
KHSD to consider banning discriminatory teaching material in proposed revision to policy
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — The Kern High School District Board may update its policy to ban the use of textbooks and other class materials that would subject a student to discrimination.
According to the agenda for the KHSD Board of Trustees meeting scheduled for Monday, the revision is meant to reflect Senate Bill 153, a new California law passed in 2024.
The existing policy, first adopted in November 2009 and revised Jan. 18, 2024, outlines the procedure of processing complaints made against instructional materials for the school district.
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The proposed revision, if passed, would prohibit the school district's Board of Trustees from adopting or approving textbooks, instructional material, supplemental teaching material and class curriculum that would make a student suffer from 'unlawful discrimination.'
Unlawful discrimination includes discriminating against someone based on their disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, immigration status and other characteristics, according to California's Education Code 220.
The bill also allows anyone to file a complaint if they believe the board violated this prohibition. However, the KHSD policy maintains the school district will only accept complaints from the school district staff, district residents or the parents and guardians of the district's students.
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If the Superintendent determines the violation to be true and the board doesn't take corrective action within 60 days, the California Department of Education can 'use any means authorized' to make the district comply, according to SB 153.
The school district board could also face financial penalties, the bill says.
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