The fight for racial justice is one that exists beyond, but includes, the fight for education.

The Equity Alliance for LA’s Kids is made up of organizations that understand the need to push for comprehensive change in order to address the systems that uphold the legacy of white supremacy through institutionalized racism.

At no time has the education system ever served the unique needs of non-white and non-affluent communities, but historically marginalized communities have taken up the fight to push for a vision that has created opportunities that move us forward to a racially just and equitable system.

Catalyst California (formerly Advancement Project California), Community Coalition, and InnerCity Struggle saw an opportunity to codify LCFF at the local level. We knew we needed the data to illuminate the areas of highest need.

The focus is on restorative justice and English learners, and on our Black and Brown youth.

Today, we have parents and students continuing their fight to demand a culture of equity. We believe what we’re producing in Los Angeles today may become a model for other California county school districts. We have an opportunity to marry organizing and real data to shift massive dollars. Because what is at stake is nothing less than our public education system.

The Equity Alliance for LA’s Kids uplifts a path toward recovery for the LAUSD’s students and families in the hardest hit schools during the pandemic. There is a great deal at stake, and we must collectively act with tremendous urgency to get it right. This requires collaboration amongst the LAUSD youth, families, support staff and teachers and many others.

The Equity Alliance and our partners look forward to working with the LAUSD to make this a reality and to do right by our highest need students and schools. With the recent $700 million-win in increased SENI funding, the implementation phase of equitable resources in LAUSD will take place in the upcoming 2021-2022 school year.  Now is the time to prioritize an equitable recovery to ensure the promise of the Golden State belongs to all our children.  Read our Racial Justice Equity Plan to Recovery.

• 1970’s: The population of people of color doubles in California. Proposition 13 passes, leading to devastating disinvestment in public education that moves CA from #1 in per pupil spending to #47 in 2018.
• 2005: Students and parents campaigned and won A-G as a mandatory requirement for graduation
• 2008: The Great Recession hits throughout the country, leading to heavy budget cuts at LAUSD.
• 2012: Communities throughout California organize to pass Proposition 30 to prevent $6 billion in cuts to education
• 2013: After a decade of communities organizing for equity at the state level, the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) was enacted to restore funding to pre-recession levels by 2020-2021 in an equitable way. Governor Brown charges that, “equal treatment for children in unequal situations is not justice” regarding LCFF. This win created anticipation that significant funds would go to LAUSD.
• 2014: Community Coalition, InnerCity Struggle and the Advancement Project California lead the organizing efforts that passes the Equity Is Justice resolution in LAUSD. This historic resolution took LCFF further in defining need.
• 2015: LAUSD reaffirmed their commitment the A-G resolution.
• 2015: LAUSD implements a watered-down Student Equity Need Index (SENI). This results in hundreds of millions of dollars in funding taken from high need schools. Additionally, Community Coalition sues LAUSD for misappropriating $450 million meant for high need students and diverting those funds to special education.
• 2016: Advancement Project California provided the data analysis and formulated a new index and indicators. The LA Equity Alliance engaged the district in new talks for SENI 2.0.
• 2017: SENI 2.0 is produced and negotiations begins. InnerCity Struggle and Community Coalition produced town halls and collected community input to create a unified alignment. UC Berkeley and UCLA assisted with a literature review. Superintendent Michelle King saw an opportunity for reform and pushed for equity.
• 2017: LAUSD settles with Community Coalition. Over $150 million is allocated to the 50 highest need schools in the district.
• 2018: SENI 2.0 negotiations continue with LAUSD. Implementation plans and a public announcement are forthcoming. Resolution introduced by Board President Monica Garcia titled ‘Equity is Justice 2.0: Moving Toward a New Direction.’
• 2021: LAUSD’s Highest Need schools received an additional $700 million for the 2021-22 academic school year under the “Equity is Justice 2021 Resolution” utilizing the Student Equity Need Index (SENI).

Contact Ronald Simms Jr.

213-406-9111