Teachers union wants to make costly ethnic studies classes mandatory

A new high school graduation requirement backed by the National Education Association could cost taxpayers billions.

In thousands of districts throughout the country, the teachers union's push to make high school students take an "ethnic studies" course could mean additional staffing costs -- and more dues-paying members for NEA.

That's the case in Los Angeles, where the city school district initially projected the new requirement would cost $4 million. After a few months of planning, the district now expects ethnic studies will cost $73 million to implement.

"A major portion of the latest $73 million estimate is needed for teaching staff," 89.3 KPCC reported in May.

NEA wants the Los Angeles ethnic studies requirement to serve as a model nationwide, as the union spelled out July 5 during its annual meeting.

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