53E-4-204.1. Ethnic studies core standards and curriculum requirements.
(1)
As used in this section:
Terms Used In Utah Code 53E-4-204.1
Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
State: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes a state, district, or territory of the United States. See Utah Code 68-3-12.5
United States: includes each state, district, and territory of the United States of America. See Utah Code 68-3-12.5
(a)
“Core standards for Utah public schools” or “core standards” means the standards the state board establishes as described in Section 53E-4-202.
(b)
“Ethnic studies” means the interdisciplinary social and historical study of how different populations have experienced and participated in building the United States of America, including the study of the culture, history, and contributions of Utahns of diverse ethnicities.
(c)
“Ethnic Studies Commission” means the Ethnic Studies Commission created in Section 63C-28-201.
(d)
“Utahns of diverse ethnicities” means individuals who are residents of Utah and:
(i)
Native American;
(ii)
Alaska Native;
(iii)
Native Hawaiian;
(iv)
Pacific Islander;
(v)
Hispanic or Latino;
(vi)
Black or African American;
(vii)
Asian or Asian American; or
(viii)
from diverse backgrounds and experiences.
(2)
(a)
The state board shall incorporate ethnic studies into the core standards for Utah public schools.
(b)
Before the state board takes formal action to incorporate ethnic studies into the core standards, the state board shall:
(i)
consult with the Ethnic Studies Commission; and
(ii)
submit the proposed core standards incorporating ethnic studies to the Ethnic Studies Commission for review and recommendations.
(3)
In incorporating ethnic studies into the core standards, the state board shall consider, at a minimum:
(a)
existing core standards that increase cultural awareness of, and focus on the character traits described in Section 53G-10-204 for, all Utah communities;
(b)
opportunities to recognize and incorporate into the ethnic studies core standards the histories, contributions, and perspectives of Utahns of diverse ethnicities; and
(c)
recommendations of the Ethnic Studies Commission.
(4)
Subject to legislative appropriations, the state board shall provide funding for professional learning in ethnic studies for teachers.
(5)
(a)
By August 1, 2024, an LEA shall select curriculum and instructional materials for teaching ethnic studies to students in kindergarten through grade 12 that:
(i)
align with the core standards incorporating ethnic studies described in this section; and
(ii)
are integrated with regular school work.
(b)
An LEA shall implement an ethnic studies curriculum that, at a minimum:
(i)
focuses on shared identity and honoring unique cultural differences, including:
(A)
that each individual student has unique characteristics;
(B)
the common elements that unite Utahns; and
(C)
respect for distinct socio-cultural identities; and
(ii)
includes themes including cultural histories within the context of United States history and global history.
(c)
An LEA shall:
(i)
modify or revise as needed the ethnic studies instructional materials and curriculum the LEA selects as described in Subsection (5)(a), to ensure alignment with core standards incorporating ethnic studies; and
(ii)
submit a report to the state board that provides evidence that the LEA is complying with the requirements of Subsections (5)(a) and (b).
(d)
In fulfilling the requirements of this section, an LEA may offer a course on ethnic studies.
