Public Advocates Files Complaint to Address Educator Staffing Concerns in West Contra Costa School District
Attorneys at Public Advocates have uncovered numerous teacher vacancies, and the illegal practice of using rolling substitute teachers instead of filling these vacancies with permanent educators.
A new report exposes how for-profit developers are exploiting a loophole in state law to impose exorbitant rent increases on low-income residents
Public Advocates has no current position on Proposition 2.
Prop 2 would borrow $10 billion to help modernize schools and support construction costs, but maintains a discriminatory system of funding that prioritizes higher wealth students and districts.
New national report on social housing available!
"Building Our Future: Grassroots Reflections on Social Housing" examines a growing movement to create permanently affordable housing that is publicly, collectively or non-profit owned and under community control.
Public Advocates urges CA college leaders to protect the rights of students and engage in dialogue
"Student protests are a part of our country’s rich democratic history and have been integral to advancing social justice—on and off of college campuses. We call on university leaders to protect students’ First Amendment rights to free speech and assembly. Regardless of opinion, college administrators owe students an opportunity for expression and dialogue."

News

From waging battles for affordable housing throughout the Bay Area to winning increased opportunities for a quality education in the courts, Public Advocates stays in the news. Here’s the latest…

Los Angeles Times: LAUSD’s Black student achievement program upended, targeted by conservative Virginia group

October 14, 2024—LA Times reporter Howard Blume spoke with Managing Attorney John Affeldt about the Los Angeles Unified School District’s decision to overhaul the $120 million Black Student Achievement Program after a targeted attack from a right wing East Coast based conservative group arguing the district is violating the law by providing resources based on […]

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Grandview Independent: Judge sides with school district in lawsuit over teacher shortages and Stege conditions

October 12, 2024—Reporter Soren Hemmila spoke with Staff Attorney Karissa Provenza about October 11, 2024’s Superior Court decision regarding the lawsuit Public Advocates filed on behalf of six plaintiffs (educators, parents, and students) against West Contra Unified School District for neglecting their responsibility to primarily Black and Brown students, and English learners at [...]

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CalMatters Commentary: California’s needy school districts back a $10 billion bond even though it favors richer schools

October 9, 2024—Guest commentator Jen Byers speaks with Managing Attorney John Affeldt and demand letter complainant Gary Hardie, Jr. regarding the inequities in California’s current system of distributing school facilities repair and modernization matching funds. Despite the fact that students across the state are currently denied equal access to quality facilities within their school [...]

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Our Work

We challenge the systemic causes of poverty and racial discrimination by strengthening community voices in public policy and achieving tangible legal victories advancing education, housing, transit equity and climate justice.

Quality Education & Financing

Striving to ensure children receive a quality education that will prepare them for college, careers and the future.

Housing
Justice

Advancing the right of families to live in communities jobs, schools and city services regardless of ethnicity or income.

TransportationJustice

Meeting the needs of low-income communities by fighting for more public transit and reduced or free fares for youth.

Climate
Justice

Targeting the needs of low-income communities; advancing  social equity through investments and opportunities.

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