State Codes and Statutes
Statutes > California > Edc > 280-283EDUCATION CODE
SECTION 280-283
280. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following: (a) California's schoolage population is changing dramatically, becoming increasingly diverse both racially and ethnically. These changing patterns of our social fabric have presented society with serious opportunities and concerns in the area of human relations. (b) School districts are an effective vehicle for teaching children human relations and prejudice reduction. (c) Through the use of a pilot project, human relations materials that foster cooperation and group work can increase academic achievement and self-esteem, and promote positive interaction among pupils from different racial, religious, and ethnic groups. (d) It is the intent of the Legislature that the development of human relations materials and staff training modules provide models for the implementation of California's most recent History/Social Studies Framework. 281. (a) The Superintendent of Public Instruction shall authorize the development of the Bill Bradley Human Relations Pilot Project for teaching a course on human relations, and shall do the following: (1) Consult with teachers, administrators, school board members, a representative of the California Congress of Parents, Teachers, and Students, and at least four statewide human relations agencies, including the Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the Asian Pacific American Legal Center, and the Mexican American Legal Defense Educational Fund, in the development of the human relations course. (2) Recommend the course curriculum to the State Board of Education. (3) Select three school districts, from among interested school districts, to participate in the pilot project. The selected districts shall reflect the geographic and ethnic diversity of communities in California. (4) Oversee the training of appropriate staff in the three school districts pursuant to this article. (5) Designate whether the course shall be for 5 or 10 weeks in duration. (b) Either the superintendent or the participating school districts shall designate whether the course will be taught in grade 8, 9, or 10. (c) The course shall be designed to allow the selected school districts to tailor the materials to the needs of their specific communities. 282. The human relations course developed pursuant to this article shall encompass the following goals: (a) Fostering cooperation and promoting positive interaction among pupils of different racial and ethnic groups. (b) Developing an understanding of ethnic diversity within California, throughout the nation, and in the world. (c) Understanding the dangers of stereotyping and discrimination that have existed throughout history and recognizing the protections offered to all by a democratic society. (d) Appreciating the contributions of minority groups to the development of the United States. 283. The human relations course developed pursuant to this article shall be designed and be ready for implementation by the 1990-91 school year.
