Students and Parents Speak: OUSD strike should be red flag for all school districts in CA
The following piece was originally published as an Open Forum in the San Francisco Chronicle online on March 6, 2019. By Belize Gonden-Cruz and Zaineb Alomari There is a crisis in Oakland Unified School District — educators are leaving our classrooms at an alarming rate. Each year, we lose more than 300 teachers from Oakland schools. At…
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CFJ mobilizing Oakland Unified students and parents
Last week, Californians for Justice staff and student leaders in Oakland organized our community to lift up their voice and call for district and education leaders to protect students and protect our schools! We hosted a joint press conference with Oakland Community Organizations and Public Advocates to show that our students and families are clear:…
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Elections are Over; What Does it Mean for California’s Schools?
After a lengthy election cycle that saw mass mobilization of youth and voters of color, Californians for Justice is eager to see how Governor-Elect Gavin Newsom will continue efforts to fully fund our public schools. We are looking to Newsom to be a governor who can lead together with youth, parents, educators and other elected…
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Supreme Court Ruling Deals a Blow to CA Teachers, Students and Communities of Color
The Supreme Court’s ruling last week in Janus v. American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees dealt yet another blow to our communities. The decision means anti-worker politicians and corporations have one more weapon to silence the voices of youth and communities of color on the ground. By ruling that government workers no longer…
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Funding for LCFF Community Engagement Initiative: A Win for Grassroots Groups Across the State
Today, Governor Brown signed the 2018-2019 California state budget, including $28.3 million set aside to strengthen Local Control Funding Formula community engagement of students and parents in districts across the state! This is a direct victory for grassroots communities and Black, Brown, Asian and Pacific Islander folks across the state. The budget win is a…
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Making Good on the Promise of Racial Equity for California Schools
Why do community engagement and school climate matter for low-income families of color? Why are community power and decision-making vital to transforming our education systems? California is at a crossroads in the implementation of the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF), the most sweeping reform to school funding in the state in 40 years. Fundamental to…
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Proposed ‘One-time Funding’ Legislation Would Further Racial & Educational Equity through LCFF
Students and parents have teamed up with Assemblymember Kevin McCarty to propose legislation that would further racial and educational equity through the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF). Assembly Bill 2820 will ensure that districts and schools have the tools to make sure students and families are engaged in improving their schools and are regularly surveyed…
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Californians for Justice Top 5 Highlights of 2017
2017 has been a meaningful year for Californians for Justice. In the wake of a federal government that endorses hate, racism, and growing inequality, it has reaffirmed our commitment and fired us up even more to organize, resist, and lead the way with progressive policy solutions and action to transform public education – for the…
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Students Call On Legislators To Address California Teacher Shortage
Just last year, California’s teacher shortage forced schools to hire more than 10,000 underprepared teachers. The Learning Policy Institute has found that low-income students of color are 3 times more likely to be taught by an underprepared teacher. Underprepared teachers fall into 3 categories (California Commission on Teacher Credentialing): Teachers who provisional intern permits,…
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