1. What exactly are the changes introduced by this new
legislation? The law made several additions to the Education
Code sections dealing with the course of study, classroom
instruction, and instructional materials. The bill added
language to Education Code Section 51204.5, which prescribes the
inclusion of the contributions of various groups in the history
of California and the United States. This section already
included men and women and numerous ethnic groups; the expanded
language now includes (additions bolded): “...a study of the
role and contributions of both men and women, Native Americans,
African Americans, Mexican Americans, Asian Americans, Pacific
Islanders, European Americans, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and
transgender Americans, persons with disabilities, and members of
other ethnic and cultural groups, to the economic, political,
and social development of California and the United States of
America, with particular emphasis on portraying the role of
these groups in contemporary society.” The leg