Updates & News 

April 7, 2008

 September 25, 2007

Statewide Survey Highlights Opinions About  Schools

CFJ joins together with ally organizations to release statewide survey of student and parent views on public schools

Today, Californians for Justice, together with PICO California, California ACORN, and Public Advocates, released the first statewide survey capturing parent and student voices from low- and middle-income neighborhoods, articulating their priorities for public education reform. The new study, based on the responses of 5,600 adults and young people across California from San Diego to rural Colusa County, makes it clear that parents and students expect their elected officials to begin now to enact the funding and policy changes that will enable all students to obtain the quality education they need and deserve. For more information or to request regional data, please contact Mike Chavez or Solomon Rivera at (562) 951-1015.

Full report: Education Survey_final.pdf

Press release: Survey press release.pdf 

July 30, 2007 

Long Beach Students
Fight for College Prep Classes

CFJ Long Beach’s campaign to make college prep classes part of the standard curriculum in the Long Beach Unified School District is gaining momentum! A coalition of community organizations, including the United Way of Greater Los Angeles, the YWCA of the Harbor Area and South Bay, and the California State University Chancellor’s office, has formed to support CFJ's proposal to the district.

Student leaders from CFJ joined members of the newly-formed coalition in holding a rally in front of the offices of the Long Beach Unified School District on Monday, July 30.

The coalition presented a comprehensive proposal to the district committee evaluating the need for college prep classes. In addition  to phasing the classes into the standard graduation requirements, the proposal envisions supports for teachers and students, starting from the elementary school level, and expanding the existing Seamless Education Initiative between LBUSD, Long Beach City College and California State University Long Beach to engage students, parents, and community businesses.

The Long Beach Press Telegram printed an opinion piece by CFJ Organizing Co-Director Jeremy Lahoud and YWCA Executive Director Silissa Uriarte Smith in the Sunday Opinion section.

July 5, 2007
Active Summer for CFJ Youth Leaders

Over 50 Leaders take part in Summer Youth Leadership Academy.

During the summer months of 2007, over fifty CFJ youth leaders will participate in the sixth annual Summer Youth Leadership Academy (SYLA), an intensive leadership development program for high school-aged youth. The Academy empowers young leaders who are committed to social justice by helping them develop skills such as public speaking, media advocacy, community outreach, action research, fundraising and event planning. This summer we are also expanding our program by offering Advanced SYLA in San Jose and Long Beach. The Advanced Academy gives CFJ members who have already completed the first level of SYLA training an opportunity to hone their organizing skills and expand upon their leadership development.

In addition, CFJ will create our first annual SYLA Yearbook to document the development and achievements of the youth who participate in the program. SYLA youth receive a stipend for participating and gain hands-on experience working in the field, learning about what it takes to wage organizing campaigns to improve their schools.  The Yearbook will document the Academy and raise funds to support our important racial justice work in California’s schools.  Proceeds from our Yearbook will be used to bring youth and parent voices to bear on important educational issues across the state, including school funding, access to college for all students, and ensuring that schools in low income communities and communities of color provide high quality learning conditions.

You can sponsor our youth leaders by purchasing ad space in our SYLA Yearbook! Download the sponsorship order form below. Fill out and fax the form for your listing to us at (510) 452-3552 by Friday, September 14, 2007. Please feel free to contact Deborah Ranker at (510) 452-2728 with any questions.  We look forward to hearing from you!
SYLA Yearbook Sponsorship Form.pdf