A University of California, Berkeley-linked teacher training program, funded in part by taxpayer dollars, is facing criticism for allegedly promoting controversial revolutionary figures as heroes in its ethnic studies curriculum, according to a new report from a watchdog group.
The report, released on Monday by Defending Education, examines UC Berkeley's high school ethnic studies training initiatives, including a 2024 session titled “Teaching Histories of Anti-Imperialistic Solidarity.” Researchers from the organization claim the program encourages educators to portray figures like Fidel Castro, Che Guevara, and the Black Panther Party in a positive light, framing them within discussions of race, power, and political struggles.
Rhyen Staley, Defending Education's director of research, described the training as crossing into activism rather than neutral education. “It’s not just talking about individuals like Fidel Castro, Che Guevara, groups like Black Panther Party, but it is promoting them as heroes of a far-left socialist movement,” Staley told The Center Square. He added, “That’s really the issue with ethnic studies on the whole… it is a far-left political programming meant to train young children to become street activists.”
The report highlights specific elements from the 2024 session, such as a land acknowledgment that references “witnessing the ongoing genocide of Palestinians” and calls for “solidarity campaigns for the liberation of Palestine, Congo, and other oppressed countries.” One panelist was quoted as saying,
If you’re not talking about Palestine, you’re not doing ethnic studies.Instructors reportedly discussed incorporating images of Castro, Che Guevara, and the Black Panthers into classroom materials, describing them as “the vehicle to articulate a particular vision.”
Defending Education also points to references in the program to the Venceremos Brigade, an organization that organizes trips to Cuba and is described as a fiscal project of The People’s Forum. The group alleges that such content blurs educational boundaries and pushes a specific ideological agenda in public schools.
The training program is part of broader efforts in California to implement ethnic studies in high schools, following a 2021 state law that requires all public high school students to take a semester-long course in the subject by 2030. UC Berkeley has been involved in developing model curricula and providing professional development for teachers, with funding coming from state and federal sources, including grants tied to taxpayer contributions.
Critics like Staley are calling for federal intervention. “I would love to see some sort of investigation from the U.S. Department of Education,” he said, arguing that the program's content warrants scrutiny to ensure it aligns with educational standards rather than political advocacy.
UC Berkeley has not directly responded to the specific allegations in the report. In a statement to The Center Square, university officials emphasized their commitment to academic excellence, saying they adhere to “the highest standards of academia” and pointing to the institution's prestigious academic record, including numerous Nobel Prize affiliations.
The controversy comes amid ongoing debates in California over the direction of ethnic studies education. Proponents argue that the discipline provides essential context on marginalized communities' histories and contributions, while opponents contend it often veers into ideological territory. Lance Izumi, senior vice president of the Pacific Research Institute, a free-market think tank, described the situation as part of a larger curriculum battle.
“It’s simply indoctrination,” Izumi told The Center Square, criticizing what he sees as a lack of ideological balance in classrooms. He cited conservative Black thinkers such as economist Thomas Sowell, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, and Harvard economist Glenn Loury as examples of perspectives he believes are absent from the instruction. Izumi noted that school districts across California are increasingly adopting interpretations of state ethnic studies guidelines that lean toward more radical viewpoints.
California's ethnic studies mandate stems from Assembly Bill 101, signed into law in 2021 by Governor Gavin Newsom. The legislation aims to foster understanding of systemic inequities but has sparked divisions. Some districts, like those in the Bay Area near UC Berkeley, have piloted programs emphasizing anti-imperialism and global solidarity, which align with the themes in the criticized training session.
Defending Education, founded in 2023, positions itself as a nonpartisan watchdog monitoring ideological biases in higher education and K-12 programs. The group's report on UC Berkeley is part of a series scrutinizing ethnic studies initiatives nationwide, including similar concerns raised about curricula in states like Oregon and Illinois.
Supporters of the UC Berkeley program, though not directly quoted in the report, have previously defended ethnic studies as vital for student engagement and cultural awareness. In past statements, educators involved in similar trainings have argued that discussing historical figures like Che Guevara or the Black Panthers provides necessary context for understanding civil rights and anti-colonial movements, without endorsing their actions uncritically.
The Black Panther Party, founded in Oakland in 1966, was known for its community programs and armed patrols against police brutality but also faced accusations of violence and extremism from authorities at the time. Fidel Castro led Cuba's 1959 revolution, overthrowing a U.S.-backed regime, while Che Guevara became an icon of guerrilla warfare and socialism. These figures remain polarizing, celebrated by some as liberators and condemned by others for authoritarianism and human rights abuses.
As the report gains attention, it could influence ongoing legislative efforts in California to refine ethnic studies standards. A 2023 task force recommended revisions to ensure curricula remain academically rigorous, but implementation varies by district. Education advocates on both sides are watching closely, with some calling for more diverse viewpoints in teacher training to avoid perceived biases.
Looking ahead, the U.S. Department of Education has not commented on Defending Education's call for an investigation. If pursued, such a probe could examine federal funding streams supporting UC Berkeley's programs, potentially leading to guidelines on content neutrality. For now, the debate underscores tensions in American education over how to teach history in an era of cultural and political polarization.
In Berkeley, a city long associated with progressive activism—home to the 1960s Free Speech Movement—the university's role in shaping public education continues to draw scrutiny from across the ideological spectrum. As high schools prepare to roll out ethnic studies courses, stakeholders hope for dialogue that balances historical accuracy with diverse interpretations.