1 . Who do I address my email to?

Your school district website likely includes a staff list. The person in charge of curriculum is generally:

• Vice (or Assistant) Superintendent of one of the following: Curriculum, Educational Services, or Instruction. For instance: “Vice Superintendent of Curriculum.” OR

• If the district has an “Office of Curriculum” or “Office of Instruction,” then the Director of such an office.

Some websites ask you to submit your email through a form, which is fine as well.
If you cannot find the appropriate person through the website, a quick phone call to the general number of the district office should get you the person’s name and email address. Your request would be: “the staff person in charge of curriculum.” (or “Instruction” or “Educational Services”) Ask for that individual’s name and email address.

2. What if the administration won’t email me some of the materials because they’re in books?

Most information you are requesting is electronic and should be easily available to you. In some cases, you might need to go to the district or school office to look at textbooks or other materials that are only available in hard copy. You may take photos or copies under the fair use law. Don’t forget to note the source, including page numbers. You may also want to ask what the approximate cost is, so you can determine how much to copy.

3. What if the administration says that they cannot share the information because “it’s ‘copyrighted’ or “It’s from a private consultant”?

All such information must be made accessible to you by law. (See below PRA Overview.) Request to look at the materials on school premises, and make copies or take photos. See #2 above.

4. What if the administration declines to share some or all materials, even after I offer to come in person? Or what if they don’t reply after 10 days?

Contact us for next steps: calethstudies@gmail.com.

5. I’m concerned with what I’m seeing in the materials, but I’m not entirely certain it’s problematic.

Contact us, and we’ll help you assess. calethstudies@gmail.com

6. I feel like the school/district is not being straight with me about their Ethnic Studies status or their process. Or: The materials I’m reviewing are problematic. Or: I’m concerned about the training/curriculum/consultants selection.

In addition to contacting us, consider obtaining email communications. These include communications from:

• Teachers and staff involved in Ethnic Studies curriculum development. Note that they  are sometimes told to use their personal emails, but these are subject to public disclosure as well. There is no expectation of privacy for public employees. Content of emails is what determines what’s in the public domain, not the type of email account.

• Superintendent (to board members, staff, or teachers). When requesting these communications, specify that you want all communications regarding Ethnic Studies.

• Board members. These communications can be especially useful when facing obfuscation from other means.

Sample text for the above: “Please provide all communication from teachers, staff, and administration regarding Ethnic Studies.”

7. Do I ask for materials used by my school or by my district?

In general, we recommend the district, as it may be instructive to review materials from other schools. Therefore, we suggest requesting materials “for all [District Name] District schools.” 

8. General tips 

• When requesting materials, specify the class or training program - i.e., “Ethnic Studies.”

• If you are from the same district as the one you’re emailing, then include your city under your name in the signature.

PRA Overview (California)

The California Public Records Act (PRA) is a series of laws meant to guarantee that the public has access to public records of governmental bodies in California. Anyone can request public documents in California, and a purpose does not have to be stated. The PRA does not regulate the use of records obtained from public agencies. A sample letter can be found here.

Public records include any written information that is prepared, owned, used, or retained by any state or local agency (such as a county, city, or school district) and is related to the conduct of public business, regardless of the physical form or characteristics of the public business. 

Public records are open to inspection at all times during the office hours of the state or local agency. 

Every person has the right to inspect any public record and obtain a copy unless, pursuant to specific statutory standards, it must be kept confidential. Agency regulations may be adopted stating the procedures to be followed when making records available.