Recent documents indicate that a school district in California has organized field trips that specifically exclude white students, alongside several other race-focused initiatives.
The Albany Unified School District (AUSD) is coordinating a trip to Virginia for “young people of color” to tour historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and discuss topics related to “social justice,” as detailed in a statement. This information, gathered by the parents’ rights organization Defending Education (DE), was disclosed to the Daily Caller News Foundation. The school board approved the trip, which cost the district $42,845.
According to the board’s documents, this mentoring program aims to help young men and women of color at Albany High School develop skills needed for social, personal, and academic success. The students engage in a supportive environment where they can express their needs and challenges, discussing themes such as social justice and mental health. The program claims to be transforming these students’ lives and having a significant societal impact.
Alongside the university visits, students also explored the Virginia Museum of History and Culture, the Virginia Civil Rights Monument, and the Black Heritage Trail.
Moreover, the district implements various programs focused on supporting non-white students and faculty. AUSD’s Community Stewardship and Accountability Plan for the 2025-2026 school year includes a “Youth of Color and Young Women of Color Program” designed to offer social-emotional support to disadvantaged students. This effort is part of a larger $1,257,234 initiative aimed at social-emotional and mental health support.
The same plan outlines the district’s approach to “professional development” for staff, emphasizing “culturally responsive/anti-racist education” to assist groups that have been historically underserved.
Additionally, documents indicate plans for recruitment aimed at strengthening inclusive hiring practices and tracking demographic data within the faculty. The district referred to the Black Teacher Project as part of its strategy to enhance race-focused hiring and retention.
Requests for comment from AUSD went unanswered. The district’s website provides more insights, mentioning an instruction for staff not to share any information in light of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities on campus.
AUSD describes itself as serving a diverse community with deep immigrant connections, asserting its commitment to being a safe haven for all students despite external pressures from the federal government.
The district’s official communication stresses a goal of attracting and maintaining a diverse teaching staff. Paul Ranko, DE’s senior director of strategic initiatives, commented that educational opportunities should be based on individual abilities rather than immutable characteristics like race or ethnicity. He argued that schools should prioritize challenging high-achieving students and supporting those who struggle, ensuring quality education for everyone rather than organizing programs by race.
