Los Angeles: April 26, 2022 Contact: Esthefanie Solano

esthefanie@innercitystruggle.org

WHAT: On Wednesday, April 27, Equity Alliance For LA’s Kids (EA) will convene a town hall with Superintendent Alberto Carvalho to elevate the long, hard-fought struggle for equity and racial justice in L.A. Unified campuses. The Town Hall will provide a platform for  South LA and Eastside families to engage the Superintendent on community-led efforts and secure Superintendent Carvalho’s commitment as a core component of his strategic plan through strong implementation of the Student Equity Needs Index (SENI) and the increasing of SENI funds. 

WHERE:         Community Coalition

                        8101 Vermont Ave., Los Angeles 90044

WHEN:          Wednesday, April 27th, 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

WHY: SENI is student-based equity need index used to identify and differentiate levels of need in the district and to inform the allocation of funds so that LAUSD can efficiently address the achievement gap.  Superintendent Carvalho is a key decision-maker in budget matters within LA Unified who needs to understand the community-led efforts that have led to progress in implementing the Student Equity Need Index within the District to ensure much-needed funds are equitably distributed, especially to Los Angeles’s high and highest-need schools. The SENI is comprehensive and research-based. It includes indicators that measure percentages of targeted student populations and academic and community indicators and incorporates COVID-19 impact data that determine Highest, High, Moderate, Low, and Lowest need schools throughout all school levels in LAUSD. The Equity Alliance appreciates the Superintendent’s commitment to understanding SENI and continuing the momentum in increasing SENI funds for our most under-resourced schools. We believe hearing community voices from the highest-need schools is essential for his understanding and support.

WHO: The Equity Alliance is a coalition of policy, advocacy, and educational nonprofits that believes public education plays a significant role in eliminating poverty and racism for the future of all Angelenos. Advancement Project California (APCA), Community Coalition (CoCo), InnerCity Struggle (ICS), and the Partnership for Los Angeles Schools (Partnership) have worked with parents and student advocates to recodify the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) because, regardless of race, income or ability, every student deserves an education that sees their full potential, invests in their needs and reminds them of the infinite possibilities they have in front of them.

• Alberto Cavalho, Superintendent, LAUSD
• Jessenia Reyes, Advancement Project California
• Aurea Montes-Rodriguez, Community Coalition
• Daniela Hernandez, InnerCity Struggle
• Deycy Hernandez, The Partnership for Los Angeles Schools
• Student and parent leaders from South Los Angeles and the Eastside of Los Angeles

All will be available for interviews after the Town Hall Meeting. 

Space is limited, please RSVP by emailing Esthefanie at esthefanie@innercitystruggle.org

ORGANIZATIONAL MEDIA CONTACTS:

Ronald Simms Jr. / Advancement Project California / Senior Comms Manager / 202-270-0936

Marsha Mitchell / Community Coalition / Comms Director / 323-371-4389

Esthefanie Solano / InnerCity Struggle / Comms Strategist / 323-780-7605 x 121

Cathy Kralik / Partnership for LA Schools / Senior Director of Comms / 213-290-4851

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About the Equity Alliance for LA’s Kids: 

There have always been winners and losers, with our low-income students of color getting the short end of the stick. The Equity Alliance for LA’s Kids is looking to fix that problem. www.laequityalliance.org/ 

About Advancement Project California: 

Advancement Project California is a multi-racial, multi-generational racial justice organization with expertise in research, advocacy, and policy. We work with partners and communities to expand educational opportunities for California’s children, create healthy and safe neighborhoods, ensure communities of color have a voice in our democracy, strengthen movement-building, and shift public investments toward programs that benefit all Californians—not just the privileged few.

For more information, visit www.advancementprojectca.org or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

About Community Coalition: 

For nearly 30 years, Community Coalition has provided a hub to elevate South LA’s voice and empower residents to take control over the future of their neighborhood. Community Coalition works with residents to build a prosperous and healthy South LA with safe neighborhoods, quality schools, a strong social safety net. The coalition continues to work on positive economic development that reduces crime, poverty and substance abuse in South LA through resident organizing, direct advocacy, and community support services. Visit cocosouthla.org to learn more.

About InnerCity Struggle: 

InnerCity Struggle has worked with youth and community residents since 1994 to promote safe, healthy and non-violent communities in the Eastside. We organize youth and families in Boyle Heights, unincorporated East Los Angeles, El Sereno, and Lincoln Heights to work together for social and educational justice. InnerCity Struggle provides positive after-school programs for students to become involved in supporting our schools to succeed. We have empowered students to reach their family’s dream of college. The work of InnerCity Struggle demonstrates that youth and parents working together are a powerful force for improving their communities and making real change. Visit innercitystruggle.org to learn more. 

About the Partnership for Los Angeles Schools: 

Launched in 2007, the Partnership for Los Angeles Schools’ mission is to transform schools to revolutionize school systems, empowering all students with a high-quality education. The Partnership is a non-profit, in-District partner to LA Unified, not a charter network. As an independent nonprofit organization, the Partnership serves 14,200 students across 19 LA Unified schools in Watts, Boyle Heights, and South Los Angeles. The Partnership works within the Los Angeles Unified School District context, which includes honoring all collective bargaining agreements for its teachers and school staff. Visit partnershipla.org to learn more.