GRASSROOTS COALITION CALLS ON STATE LEADERS TO ADOPT 10 EQUITY PRIORITIES FOR PATH THROUGH COVID-19 CRISIS
The actions state and local leaders take will determine the future of every school and every community for years, even decades to come. Schools are irreplaceable, not just as places of learning, but as community hubs that provide vital resources and connections.
Through deep listening, critical analysis and community conversations involving hundreds of students and parents across the state in the most affected communities, the California Partnership for the Future of Learning has identified 10 essential priorities for adoption by state leaders:
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Center Racial Equity in all Decisions, Actions and Collection of Data
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Prioritize Health and Wellness Through Community Schools and More
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Engage Families and Students as Partners in Learning and Decisions
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Invest in a “Restorative” Approach to Learning Loss
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Provide Universal, Permanent Digital Access to All
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Ensure Local Accountability for Quality, Equitable Learning
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Meet the Needs of Educators Before and After the Pandemic
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Address Basic, Urgent Needs of Students and Families
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Support Whole Child Early Care and Education
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Fund Our Schools Starting with Schools and Communities First
COVID-19 has exposed and exacerbated existing inequities in educational opportunity that are unacceptable. As we rebuild and recover from COVID-19 to create the schools our communities need, we must center racial justice and equity in our policies and solutions. To truly achieve that equity goal, the voices of the most-affected students and parents must be heard and valued to create policies that meet student needs.
We’re calling on California’s state, local and school leaders to follow these 10 priorities and keep the voices of students and families at the heart of their decisions.
As Shakira Reynolds, a parent leader with the West Contra Costa Unified School District said, “I fear the achievement gap will widen during this time. Parents who have to work don’t have the capacity to oversee their students’ distance learning during school hours and many lack the knowledge to support their children with 21st century skills. Parents and students need training on devices as well as support for social and emotional skills.”
There are many tough decisions ahead but we do not need to do this work alone. Reinvesting in and rebuilding public education will take all of us leading together. Collectively, we can create the schools and future of learning we need once and for all — ushering in the transformation of schools to foster opportunity, health and prosperity for generations to come.
Click here to read our Policy Platform for the Future of Learning
Click here to read our Community Needs Assessment
CONTACT: Duc Luu, dluu@publicadvocates.org, 857-373-9118
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The California Partnership for the Future of Learning is a statewide alliance of community organizing and advocacy groups advancing a shared vision of a transformational, racially just education system built for us all. It is led by Advancement Project California, Californians for Justice, PICO California, and Public Advocates, with the support of Community Coalition, InnerCity Struggle, and over a dozen grassroots, research and philanthropic partners dedicated to advancing racial and economic justice and building grassroots power.
