Ethnic studies programs in limbo with state funding pause

A California high school graduation requirement for courses that teach about different cultures is now on the chopping block amid state budget cuts.Four years ago, California passed AB 101, which would require high schoolers to take an ethnic studies course before graduation.But the state's latest revised budget does not include funding for ethnic studies. Without funding, districts aren't required to enforce the requirement.A spokesperson for the California Department of Finance said in a statement to the L.A. Times, "the state has limited available ongoing resources" to support ethnic studies as a graduation requirement.Now, school districts are in limbo as they navigate the next steps. Many ethnic studies courses were set to start this fall.On Midday Edition, we speak with a local scholar and school administrator about the types of lessons ethnic studies brings to high school classrooms.Guests:James Fabionar, associate professor and associate chair in the Department of Learning and Teaching at the University of San DiegoWendy Ranck-Buhr, senior director of Equity, Access, and Opportunity for the San Diego Unified School District