THOMAS D. ELIAS Critical Ethnic Studies couldnât get in the front door of Californiaâs public schools, so now adherents of the historical perspective thatâs considered by many to be both anti-white American and anti-Semitic are trying to enter through the rear. Grappling with the prospect of developing new ethnic studies programs for middle and high schools, districts in many parts of California are hiring co-authors and backers of a rejected first version of the stateâs new Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum as well-paid consultants. Such courses are not yet required to receive high school diplomas in this state, but soon will be if legislators pass a proposed law known as AB 101. That bill lets local school districts design their own ethnic studies programs and not use the stateâs new, better-vetted curriculum.