Ensuring Transparency in SFUSD Ethnic Studies
The Friends of Lowell Foundation is calling on the San Francisco Unified School District to uphold its promise of a transparent,
inclusive, and legally compliant curriculum-adoption process. The rushed permanent adoption of the problematic Voices ethnic studies curriculum deviated from the standard district piloting process, excluded observant Muslim community members by scheduling during Ramadan, demonstrated bias in the review process, and failed to provide the 30-day public inspection period required by law. Furthermore, the SFUSD's mandate of a two-semester course places a disproportionate academic burden on students — diverting them from vital AP and elective courses. The FOLF sent a demand letter to the Board of Education warning them to delay their vote due to procedural violations, but the SFUSD maintained its pattern of willful disregard of the Brown Act.
HELP FUND OUR LEGAL FIGHT!
The FOLF is a 501(c)3 organization, so all donations are tax-deductible.
Merit-based admissions matter
The Friends of Lowell Foundation promotes educational opportunity and high standards in public instruction by protecting Lowell High School in San Francisco and advocating for merit-based admissions in public magnet high schools across the U.S., K-8 improvements, STEM instruction, and Advanced Placement funding.
2024 film features Friends of Lowell
On March 2, 2024, a lucky group of individuals got to see an exclusive sneak peek of a new documentary featuring Friends of Lowell. Killing America is a film by Eli Steele, Man of Steele Productions, that explores how racism and antisemitism have crept into American schools, including in the San Francisco Unified School District. Several Friends of Lowell speak in the documentary, which includes footage of our most recent pro-merit rally, which was held before the November 14, 2023 Board of Education meeting, as well as public comment at that meeting. At the sold-out March 2 event, which was held at the Guild Theatre in Menlo Park, Friends of Lowell Foundation president Christine Linnenbach moderated a post-screening Q&A session. The FOLF then held screenings of the film on March 27 and April 7, 2024.
Statements
The Friends of Lowell Foundation has led the effort on the West Coast to preserve meritocracy at San Francisco’s public alternative magnet school Lowell High School. With other organizations, FOLF has worked to elevate the national effort to preserve merit admissions in public high schools across the United States.
Read our statement on the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in the Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard University & University of North Carolina cases.