Public schools across California will include the landmark civil rights case Mendez v. Westminster in history and social science courses as a result of legislation signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Introduced by Senator Tom Umberg, D-Santa Ana, and Assemblymember Tri Ta, R-Westminster, Assembly Bill 1805 was drafted to highlight the Orange County case’s pivotal role in ending forced school segregation in California, setting the stage for the federal Brown v. Board decision. Newsom put his signature on the bipartisan bill on Sept. 20.
On Tuesday, Orange County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Stefan Bean reflected on the case’s historical and educational significance.
