I was a public school teacher for more than two decades. I know the importance of students seeing themselves reflected in their school curriculum — and the isolation and exclusion that they feel when their histories and cultures are left out or misrepresented.

At a time when the federal government is trying to rewrite American history by banning diversity initiatives, California must persist in elevating the lived experiences of everyone in this country. This mission is one that all Californians should enthusiastically support.

Ethnic studies, which the state of California moved toward making a high school requirement in 2021, is about understanding, embracing and uplifting the many stories that shape California, and teaching our students about the experiences of marginalized communities.

However, ethnic studies was initially introduced without statewide curriculum standards, leaving it open to broad and sometimes a historical interpretation. Unfortunately – and especially since the horrific Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israel and the resulting Israel-Hamas war – this guidance gap has sown confusion and allowed some ethnic studies courses to be manipulated into pushing political agendas that glorify Hamas, perpetuate antisemitic tropes and denigrate Jewish people.

Consequently, many in the Jewish community are rightfully skeptical of whether our students will be welcomed in these classes. We cannot let this situation continue. For ethnic studies to fulfill its promise, our state must show that California takes it seriously. This starts with supporting educators in the classroom by outlining clear standards for appropriate content and instruction.

To make this change, I jointly authored Assembly Bill 1468 with Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur (D-Los Angeles) and state Sen. Josh Becker (D-Menlo Park). AB 1468 requires California’s Department of Education to create curriculum standards and to oversee ethnic studies instruction. These much-needed requirements will ensure historical accuracy, prevent political views from entering the classroom and make sure students are welcomed and affirmed at school.

AB 1468 will send the signal that California takes ethnic studies as seriously as it takes every other high school class. A true commitment to ethnic studies requires that the state develop curriculum standards, as well as aligned materials and instruction, just as it has for English, math, science, health, physical education, history and other disciplines. Strong, clear standards will ensure that ethnic studies creates mutual understanding and compassion among students, teachers, parents and administrators. They will also free us from biases that are corrosive to a strong multicultural democracy.

Under this new bill, Jewish students – and all students – in our public schools will be assured that their teachers have clear guidance on what students should learn in ethnic studies. The bill will also ensure that students will come away with more knowledge of California’s richly multicultural population, deepening their empathy for their fellow students and becoming more aware of the world around them.

I recognize that there are voices in the state calling for ethnic studies to be abolished because some have abused their positions by bringing their political opinions into schools. Those incidents are completely unacceptable. This bill will strengthen the original intent of ethnic studies by ensuring that teachers have the tools they need to fulfill it. The legislation will also anchor California as a leader in the fight against efforts to roll back the clock in our schools.

Others have protested that this bill will stifle the true teaching of history. But continuing ethnic studies without safeguards is absolutely not viable. When complex issues arise, it is essential that they are taught in thoughtful ways without promoting harmful stereotypes or debasing other cultures. This bill will ensure that ethnic studies is taught in a way that combats all forms of hate, including antisemitism.

The goal of ethnic studies is to tell important stories of the people of California. When based on clear curriculum standards, ethnic studies will tell these stories in ways that promote empathy and belonging – not just within our classrooms, but across our communities.

California can teach the full complexity of our shared history while lifting up all students. Now it’s up to us in leadership to chart the path so we reach that goal.

Assemblymember Dawn Addis represents the 30th District on the Central Coast.