Black Student Success

Commentary

Academic rigor versus cultural relevance is a false choice

February 14, 2024

By reframing them as mutually reinforcing rather than mutually exclusive, we can transform education for every child.

Chris Carr

LAUSD considers adjusting its Black Student Achievement Plan amid complaint

October 12, 2023

LAUSD is considering broadening the language associated with the Black Student Achievement Plan to avoid investigation by the U.S. Department of Education, a move supporters fear could dilute efforts to focus on Black student achievement and wellness.

Mallika Seshadri

Commentary

CSU tuition hike creates more debt, longer time to graduate for neediest students

October 2, 2023

CSU's most economically disadvantaged students would need to clock in twenty or even upwards of thirty hours of paid work a week, in certain regions, just to afford the cost of attendance.

Dominic Quan Treseler

Commentary

California's public charter schools — and their students — deserve equitable funding

September 19, 2023

Under the Local Control Funding Formula, public charters are penalized for serving a greater share of high-need students than their district.

Mala Batra

Commentary

Too much talk, not enough action for Black students in California

August 30, 2023

California leaders need to be as bold with their actions as they are with their rhetoric.

Natalie Wheatfall-Lum

Commentary

LAUSD's approach helps struggling readers; don't mess with it

July 9, 2023

The current method for closing the educational achievement and equity gap in Los Angeles Unified schools is working for disadvantaged students. But now the district is launching a vague new program to take its place.

Ari Campbell

Commentary

Unapologetically building opportunities for Black student success

June 28, 2023

Black learners could benefit from more opportunities for on-site career exploration, field trips and similar experiences where they can envision their future success.

Keith Curry

Commentary

California must invest in more diverse school administrators

May 23, 2023

Research shows that students in California, especially students of color, experience better educational outcomes in schools led by diverse leaders.

Michael Gebreslassie

Commentary

Gov. Newsom's 'equity multiplier' proposal is a game-changer for Black students; I know firsthand

May 14, 2023

While there is no silver bullet, the funding and real accountability measures in the proposal can help ensure schools address persistent opportunity and achievement gaps for Black students.

Dwight Bonds

Commentary

Building a culture of belonging is key to keeping diverse girls in STEM pipeline

May 9, 2023

It doesn’t work to expect Black and brown girls to simply “fit in” and mold to existing environments that weren’t designed for them — they need to feel seen and valued.

Nikole Collins-Puri

National wave of anti-CRT measures trickles into California schools

April 20, 2023

California has not passed any state legislation limiting the teaching of race and racism during the last two years, but six school districts have. 

Diana Lambert

50 years after he was assassinated, why Marcus Foster is more relevant than ever

April 14, 2023

Oakland Unified superintendent, slain by the SLA, remains beloved for his innovations and foresight.

Carolyn Jones

An Inglewood charter school looks to literacy to build success among its Black students

April 7, 2023

Wilder’s Preparatory Academy in Inglewood boasts test score results that reflect performance far above that of the state average for all schools regardless of racial composition.

Kate Sequeira

Advocates propose an alternative to refocus budget on Black students

March 14, 2023

A coalition of Black education and civil rights groups has come up with a plan that would focus additional state funding directly on Black student achievement — a goal the Newsom administration would tackle by boosting funding to low-income schools rather than any one racial group.

Emma Gallegos, John Fensterwald, And Daniel J. Willis

Commentary

A data-driven approach to tackling chronic absenteeism that any school can use

March 1, 2023

Schools can make a dent in chronic absenteeism rates if they go about it the right way.

Leilani Abulon