California Governor Vetoes Controversial Bill Requiring Ethnic Studies for High School Students

California Governor Vetoes Controversial Bill Requiring Ethnic Studies for High School Students
Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks during a news conference at the California Department of Public Health in Sacramento, Calif., on Feb. 27, 2020. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Bill Pan
Bill Pan
Reporter
|Updated:

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has vetoed a bill that would make an ethnic studies course focusing on racial justice activism a high school graduation requirement.

Last month, California’s state legislature passed AB 331, which was shelved last year following a backlash over its proposed model curriculum, on which the ethnic studies course would be based. A new draft model curriculum was put forward in August, leading to the bill’s revival amid nationwide protests and riots.