Education Code section 51501

(a)

The state board and any governing board shall not adopt any textbooks or other instructional materials for use in the public schools that contain any matter reflecting adversely upon persons on the basis of race or ethnicity, gender, religion, disability, nationality, or sexual orientation, or because of a characteristic listed in Section 220, or that violates Section 243, 244, 51500, or 60044.

(b)

Instructional materials, including, but not limited to, materials adopted by the state board or any governing body, shall be factually accurate and reflect the adopted curriculum and standards as described in subdivision (c) of Section 60200, and be consistent with accepted standards of professional responsibility, rather than advocacy, personal opinion, bias, or partisanship.

(c)

A governing board shall not prohibit the continued use of an appropriately adopted textbook, instructional material, or curriculum on the basis that it contains inclusive and diverse perspectives, including those in compliance with Section 51204.5, 51933, 51934, and 60040.

Source: Section 51501, https://leginfo.­legislature.­ca.­gov/faces/codes_displaySection.­xhtml?lawCode=EDC§ionNum=51501.­ (updated Jan. 1, 2026; accessed Dec. 22, 2025).

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Verified:
Dec. 22, 2025

§ 51501's source at ca​.gov