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Model Curriculum Projects

Curricula in a specific topic developed pursuant to legislation.

Model curriculum projects are initiated in response to specific legislation calling for a state-developed curriculum in a specified topic or disciplinary area of study. Typically, these projects are done under the supervision of the State Board of Education (SBE) or the Instructional Quality Commission.

Southeast Asia Model Curricula

Curricula developed pursuant to Assembly Bill 167 (2021), further amended by Senate Bill 369 (2023), in collaboration with the Orange County Department of Education.

  • Cambodian American Studies Model Curriculum External link opens in new window or tab.
    The curriculum is designed to assist kindergarten through grade twelve (K–12) educators in teaching about the histories and cultures of Cambodians, including Cambodian American history and heritage, the long-term causes and effects of the Cambodian Genocide, the experiences of Cambodian Americans coming to the United States, and the establishment of Cambodian American communities.

  • Hmong History and Cultural Studies Model Curriculum External link opens in new window or tab.
    The curriculum is designed to assist K–12 educators in teaching about the histories and cultures of Hmong.

  • Vietnamese American Experiences Model Curriculum External link opens in new window or tab.
    The curriculum is designed to assist K–12 educators in teaching about the histories and cultures of Vietnamese, including Vietnamese American refugee experiences, the Fall of Sài Gòn in 1975, Vietnamese boat people and members of the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces, the reasons behind the exodus, the hardships they faced, the conditions that led to their resettlement in the United States, the long-term causes and effects of the refugee experience. the establishment of Little Saigons, and cultural practices in the Vietnamese diaspora.
Native American Studies Model Curriculum

In development pursuant to Assembly Bill 167 (2021) in collaboration with the Humboldt County Office of Education and the San Diego County Office of Education.

  • Native American Studies Model Curriculum (coming September 1, 2025)
Summary of AB 167 Model Curricula Development

Assembly Bill 167, Chapter 252, Statutes of 2021 amended California Education Code sections 33540.2, 33540.4, 33540.6 and 51226.9, for the development and maintenance of model curricula relating to the Vietnamese American refugee experience, the Cambodian genocide, Hmong history and cultural studies, and Native American studies. The California Department of Education shall, in collaboration with, and subject to the approval of, the executive director of the state board, enter into contracts with county offices of education for the purposes of developing a model curriculum. Work on these projects began in 2022 and will conclude by September of 2025.

2020 Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum
  • Public Input Webinar
    A webinar was held on January 9, 2018, to collect public feedback on the model curriculum project.

César E. Chávez Model Curriculum
  • César E. Chávez Model Curriculum External link opens in new window or tab. 
    Research Center is now available. Contains several thousand primary source documents and more than 500 pictures from historical archives.
Human Rights and Genocide Model Curriculum
Questions:   Curriculum Frameworks and Instructional Resources Division | CFIRD@cde.ca.gov | 916-319-0881
Last Reviewed: Tuesday, September 10, 2024
Recently Posted in Curriculum and Instruction Resources