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Race and Equity

Nationwide protests for racial justice have resulted in calls for the removal of police from school campuses and greater attention to education equity and closing achievement gaps. This section includes articles and commentaries that explore questions of equity and race in California’s public schools.

Commentary
June 25, 2020

Now is the right moment to measure educational disparities

Schooling and student needs have changed, and we should be responsive to that.

Christopher Edley, Jr. and Maria Echaveste
Commentary
June 24, 2020

Pandemic reveals how much California needs more community schools

Model expands the ability of schools to support students and their families in multiple ways.

Julio Angel Alicea
College & Careers
June 24, 2020

State Senate action allows California voters to decide on affirmative action

Strong campaigns ahead for and against the measure to revoke Proposition 209 after 24 years. It will be on the same Nov. 3 ballot as the presidential election.

Larry Gordon
Los Angeles Unified
June 24, 2020

Measures to defund, reform Los Angeles school police rejected by school board

Disappointing activists, L.A. Unified rejected motions to reform school police, including one to cut the department’s funding by 90%.

Michael Burke
Commentary
June 23, 2020

We must end school policies that most harm our Black students

We have all failed our children by allowing structural and interpersonal racism into our school systems.

Atasi Uppal
Race and Equity
June 23, 2020

Incoming president of United Teachers Los Angeles has made racial justice her mission

A Q&A with Cecily Myart-Cruz.

Nadra Nittle/Chronicle of Social Change
Legislation
June 22, 2020

California universities prepare for possible return of affirmative action in admissions

If voters repeal the state ban on affirmative action in college admissions, some expect only moderate change among racial groups at UC and CSU while others predict significant shifts to match California's overall population.

Larry Gordon
Commentary
June 21, 2020

Statements supporting Black Lives Matter are not enough, schools must do more

Real commitment to racial justice is not for the faint of heart, but is worth our time, effort, and energy, because our students’ lives are at stake.

Tyrone C. Howard
Policy & Finance
June 19, 2020

California districts look to rename schools linked to racist history

As Black Lives Matter movement gathers steam, more name changes likely are on the way, officials say.

Carolyn Jones
College & Careers
June 19, 2020

California moves toward requiring CSU students to take ethnic studies to graduate

The Senate passed a bill requiring CSU students to take an ethnic studies course as trustees are set to consider the system’s own proposal.

Michael Burke And Betty Márquez Rosales
Commentary
June 18, 2020

It breaks my heart to have the cop talk with my son — but I must

Father fears for safety of his son.

Daniel Vasquez
Commentary
June 17, 2020

Youth protest may be key to racial transformation in the United States

It's possible that one day youth contributions to racial justice in the United States will be memorialized, just as they are in South Africa.

Louis Freedberg
College & Careers
June 15, 2020

In historic reversal, University of California regents endorse push to end ban on affirmative action

Assembly Constitutional Amendment 5 would repeal Proposition 209 and restore race and gender as considerations for admissions.

Ashley A. Smith
Commentary
June 14, 2020

George Floyd’s death is killing me

Systemic racism profoundly hurts our children by immersing them in sustained, dehumanizing trauma.

Dr. Nadine Burke Harris
Student voices
June 11, 2020

Richmond High School students speak out about protests and police brutality

Richmond High School students share their thoughts about police brutality and racism.

Ronishlla Maharaj