Celebrating 5 Years of The Incredible Journey of The Student Voice Campaign
A legacy in the making turns 5 today— the Student Voice Campaign. Five years ago, the Student Voice Campaign transformed the perception and role of students as “essential” stakeholders in local decision-making processes in California’s public schools giving a voice to 4.5 million students. Today Californians for Justice celebrates an incredible historic victory in the…
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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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On Anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education, Students Call on CA Leaders to Address Racial Inequality in Schools
SACRAMENTO, CA — On May 17th, Californians for Justice (CFJ) brought 100 students and parents from across the state to Sacramento to urge lawmakers to make good on the promise of Brown v. Board of Education, on the 64th anniversary of the landmark 1954 Supreme Court decision that mandated the desegregation of schools. CFJ held…
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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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LCFF Community Engagement & School Climate Bill Introduced
LCFF Mend & Defend Coalition In July 2017, 15 grassroots organizations representing over 40 districts across the state came came together to “defend and mend” the Local Control Funding Formula. We held an “LCFF is working” press conference centered on the powerful testimonies of students, parents and advocates on the importance of LCFF. Since the “LCFF…
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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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Press Release: Students and Parents Say School Climate is the Heart of Education
SACRAMENTO, CALIF. (November 8, 2017) – Today, dozens of students, parents, grassroots organizations and education leaders from across the state join at the State Board of Education hearing one more time to make clear that school climate is the heart of education. The State Board of Education has yet to make school climate a top…
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Students and Parents Push Back: Local Control Funding Formula Is Working! Press Release
Students and Parents Push Back: Local Control Funding Formula Is Working! Attacks on LCFF move student and parent leaders to defend equitable funding in California On July 12th, 2017– A coalition of diverse, low-income, and immigrant students and parents from 17 organizations representing 30 cities from across California traveled to Sacramento and are joined by…
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Let’s Talk About School Choice
Before Betsy DeVos assumed the role as the Secretary of Education in a tie-breaking vote by Vice President Mike Pence, she called “public education a ‘dead end.’” A month later, in her first speech to urban school district leaders, she declared that she “supports all public schools.” Betsy DeVos’ shuck and jive views on public…
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