Our work together centers equity, elevates the voices of students and families of color in partnership with educators, focuses on long-term systemic change, and connects to a larger national effort to strengthen public education systems. It seeks to build on the important work of a broad cross-section of organizations and coalitions by advancing the following priorities:
Since 2013, California has made significant strides towards equity by aligning resources to student needs and dramatically increasing K-12 funding. But the shift to a more equitable funding system has failed to remedy the chronic underfunding of our schools that falls far short of the costs of providing all students with a quality education. For historically underserved students to thrive, we need to build on LCFF’s strong foundation and ensure sufficient funding and resources, along with equitable funding, shared decision making, and accountability for families, students, and educators.
Democratic participation and shared decision making models that center those most impacted are essential to building lasting power for students, families, and educators. These models must not only genuinely share governing power, but also provide capacity building and wellness support so that those most impacted by educational inequity can engage fully in these spaces at the local, regional, and state levels.
Meaningful learning engages students in authentic work that is connected to their culture, lives, and community. It elevates student voice and provides them with the opportunity to build both their academic knowledge and interpersonal and communication skills.
A diverse, prepared, and supported educator workforce is essential to preparing all students for college, career, and civic life and for creating the inclusive and supportive school communities that enable students to thrive and are critical to sustained school improvement.
Students, families, and educators believe that transformational community schools – racially just, relationship centered schools of belonging, safety, inclusion, joy, shared power, and governance with students, families, and communities–are critical to addressing and transforming the long-standing racial justice issues in California public schools. It is essential that students and families have an equal, respected and authentic role in creating these transformational school communities.
You can find Community Schools Forum 1-Pagers here.
You can find Community Schools Forum Summaries here.
