Systems Improvement

Educational Improvements:

Learning Support Services will collaborate with teachers to critically examine existing curriculum and develop curriculum that reflects the experiences and history of all community members. A new optional A-G approved course for Ethnic Studies and Ethnic Literature has been developed and is being offered to our high school students starting with the 2021-2022 school year

Ethnic Studies and Ethnic Literature

In response to our PUSD racial equity and inclusion forums held with both students and parent community groups, The Poway Unified School District’s Board of Education approved two new high school courses in the 2020-21 school year: Ethnic Studies, an elective “G” approved course offered through the Social Studies Department and Ethnic Literature, a “B” approved English class. Each year over 700 students across our district request to take these courses. Interested students and parents may learn more about each course by contacting their respective high schools. *Both courses are optional not required.

Ethnic-Studies

Discipline & Restorative Justice Practices:

PUSD is actively updating the District's Discipline Plan to be a Restorative Discipline Plan to include specific language that reflects a restorative approach rather than a punitive approach. This includes the goal of revising the current Discipline Policy to improve consistent implementation and a more robust approach to racial slurs, hate language and behavior. In addition, expanded Character Pillars will include explicit connections to aspects of anti-racism. The development of restorative justice practices at each school level to address all incidents of hate language and behavior is also underway.

Diversity in the Classroom:

PUSD has committed to increase the hiring, retention and support of educational leaders who reflect all members of the community. In addition, a future staff survey will be conducted to determine baseline demographics.

"Action is the only remedy to indifference: the most insidious danger of all."

- Elie Wiesel