A California school district has halted ethnic studies courses after serious allegations of antisemitism surfaced in curriculum materials. The settlement marks a significant victory for Jewish advocacy groups fighting to protect students from biased educational content secretly developed behind closed doors.
At a Glance
- Santa Ana Unified School District agreed to pause ethnic studies courses over alleged antisemitic content
- The district was sued for secretly developing curriculum and excluding Jewish voices
- Officials scheduled meetings on Jewish holidays and made antisemitic remarks
- The settlement requires fact-based, impartial teaching of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
- The district must revise courses with public input before reinstating them
Secret Curriculum Development Exposed
The Santa Ana Unified School District in Orange County, California, has agreed to halt its ethnic studies courses following a lawsuit that alleged antisemitic content and secretive curriculum development. The legal action was filed by several prominent Jewish advocacy organizations including the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights, the Anti-Defamation League, and the American Jewish Committee, which claimed the district violated California’s open meeting laws by crafting the curriculum behind closed doors.
The lawsuit presented evidence that the district deliberately scheduled curriculum development meetings on Jewish holidays and that officials made antisemitic remarks. Critics allege that this was a calculated exclusion to prevent members of the Jewish community from participating in the content development process.
A settlement has been reached. As part of the agreement, the Santa Ana Unified School District must completely revise its ethnic studies courses with public input before they can be taught again. Additionally, the district will disband its controversial Steering Committee and cease working with an external consultant who reportedly expressed antisemitic views.
“This case sends a message — not just in Santa Ana, but from coast to coast — that if school leaders proceed with implementing antisemitic curriculum and material in violation of the law, we will use the courts to protect the community,” James Pasch said.
The district has also agreed to pay $43,000 to a law firm that assisted the Brandeis Center in pursuing the case. This financial penalty underscores the seriousness of violations that occurred and sends a clear message to other districts considering similar actions.
Future Curriculum Requirements
Under the settlement terms, any future ethnic studies curriculum must include fact-based, impartial teaching of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict with multiple perspectives represented. The district must also adhere to specific content restrictions designed to prevent antisemitic teachings, aligning with the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism.
The situation highlights broader concerns about ethnic studies implementation across California. The state initially considered a statewide ethnic studies curriculum but ultimately left development to individual districts after heated debates over potential antisemitism. This case demonstrates how liberal education officials attempted to inject anti-Israel bias into classrooms under the guise of “diversity” while deliberately excluding Jewish community input.
District Response
In a statement, district officials claimed there had been misunderstandings that led to the lawsuit.
“At no time has the District supported the teaching of instructional content to students that reflects adversely on any group on the basis of religion, race, ethnicity, or national origin as alleged in the lawsuit. The settlement of this lawsuit affirms that principle and resolves any misunderstanding that may have occurred,” Superintendent Jerry Almendarez said.
