SECTIONS 280-283 - California Statutes

EDUCATION 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.