– Lisa Gonzales ACSA President
June 11 , 2018 EDCAL 3
ACSA ’ s Wes Smith poses with summit co-chairs , Michelle Barker , left , and Marguerite Williams .
Region 16 women leading in education
ACSA President Lisa Gonzales , center , poses alongside Principal Elizabeth Pratt and Region 16 consultant Moohay Choe .
Alameda county superintendents bring candidates message of need for more funding
The superintendents of Alameda County ’ s 21 public school districts and Regional Occupational Programs joined with the Alameda County Superintendent of Schools L . Karen Monroe to deliver a letter to the 2018 candidates for California Governor , advocating for a significant increase in funding for public education . The letter states that current funding levels are inadequate to meet the needs of students in classrooms statewide .
“ The children of California deserve better ,” the letter , signed by every superintendent in the county , states . “ They deserve better than underfunded schools , stretched resources , eliminated programs and a lack of essential services . They deserve great schools to match the fast-changing , dynamic world in which they will attempt to find their place .”
The advocacy effort , facilitated by Monroe , has been received by every major campaign . The letter acknowledges the increase of funding that has come this year , as the result of a robust state economy , but indicates that school districts around the state still face “ a serious fiscal crisis ” because of escalating costs for employee pensions and unfunded mandates . Ninety-percent of states fund their schools at higher levels than California .
“ Our superintendents wanted to send a message to our next governor , that our students deserve more than merely ‘ adequate ’
Last month in Region 16 , a very successful Women in Leadership Summit was held at California State University , Dominguez Hills . The event featured keynote addresses from Chief Academic Officer Frances Gipson and ACSA Executive Director Wes Smith .
In addition , there was a standout summit lunch panel discussion featuring ACSA President Lisa Gonzales , interim LAUSD Superintendent Vivian Ekchian , Director Margaret Kim , Executive Director Darneika Watson-Davis , Principal Susan Canjura , and Lancaster Superintendent Michele Bowers .
The event also featured strands for aspiring leaders , advancing leaders and achieving and beyond leaders .
funding for our schools ,” Monroe said . “ The fact that every superintendent in Alameda County signed this letter is a testament to the strong , unified belief that education in California must have the resources required to best prepare students to meet the dynamic demands of our current workforce . We know that a strong , robust investment in public education is key to the state ’ s prosperity , now and into the future .”
Alameda County superintendents will continue to coordinate and discuss advocacy efforts with partners at various levels as they seek increased support for programs , services and facilities that provide students the best chance for academic success .
Equity grants awarded to narrow the achievement gap
The California Department of Education has awarded $ 2.5 million in grants to narrow the achievement gap for students whose performance lags behind other groups .
Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson worked closely with Assembly member Shirley Weber , D-San Diego , to get funding for the grant program , which the Legislature and governor approved last year . The grants will help make progress on one of Torlakson ’ s top priorities – reducing the lingering achievement gap , particularly for Latino and African American students .
“ This is a small but important step in our efforts to reduce the pernicious and persistent achievement gap ,” Torlakson said . “ I applaud educators who put together the innovative programs that won grants . With these grants , educators can refine promising ideas that , if proven successful , can be shared with educators across the state .”
The San Diego County Superintendent of Schools and the Santa Clara County Office of Education will receive the funds to
focus on English learners , African American students , and students with disabilities , who rank lower in test scores , high school graduation rates and other measures .
“ I am pleased to increase support for the important work these education agencies are doing for students who need help ,” Torlakson said . “ We need to do more , and we need to do better . By reducing the achievement gap , we can help all of our students achieve their dreams of 21st century careers and college .”
The funding is part of the state budget and authorized CDE to award grants to education agencies that can build the capacity of school districts and public schools to promote equity and increase opportunities for underserved students .
The San Diego County Superintendent of Schools and the Santa Clara County Office of Education will disseminate information on effective equity practices ; develop and provide trainings , conferences , and workshops ; and work with targeted student groups . Information will be shared statewide .
California has been making progress in closing the achievement gap , but some student groups still fall behind state averages . High school graduation rates reached an all-time high in California last year of 83.2 percent . For African American students , the graduation rate reached a record high of 72.6 percent , up more than 12 percentage points from 2010 . For Hispanic or Latino students , the graduation rate climbed to a record high of 80 percent , up nearly 12 percentage points from 2010 .
The San Diego County Superintendent , in partnership with the Kern County Superintendent of Schools , will implement an “ Educational Equity for African American and English Learners Project ” which will build school site teams ’ capacity to assist targeted student ’ s groups .
The Santa Clara County Office of Education created the “ California One : Highway to Success for All ” project for students with disabilities , English learners , and African American students . The grant will increase the knowledge and skills of
See GRANTS , page 8
And so the time has come for me to complete my final reflections on a year as your president . When I started out almost a year ago , the term I shared with all of you was UBUNTU . Ubuntu is a southern African term that translates nicely to “ I am because we are .” The entire philosophy is that a person is a person through other people . We do not exist or thrive in isolation – we live and prosper through others , and when we give to others , that love , caring , respect and nurturing comes back to us tenfold .
As I traveled around the state , I was always impressed by the extraordinary leadership that I observed . Our schools , districts , and county offices have incredibly gifted and committed leaders who give more to their students than they often do for themselves or their own families . We live in a profession of giving ... of connecting ... of caring . Thank you to all of you who welcomed me this year and who challenged me in my own personal journey of growth . To the leaders in our regions and charters statewide , your dedication continues to impress and amaze because you balance the day jobs and families with the volunteer work of this organization for the work we do collectively ; ACSA is because each of you is – we are because you are .
To the staff of ACSA , I say thank you . We thank them frequently at events for the work that they do , but I say with all sincerity that their commitment to the leaders of this state who support the 6.2 million public school students is incomparable and we are fortunate to have such a team . Special thanks to Lori Allred , Suzanne Caffrey , Laura Preston and Scarlett Vanyi . Having seen the transition of our organization over the last five years since we had a change in leadership , I can see what our Executive Director Wes Smith has truly led and I continue to be impressed and humbled to call him our leader ( and my colleague ).
This year has been one of taking a stance . We supported districts as they became “ safe havens ” for undocumented students , staff members and families , and then we filed an amicus brief addressing the legality of the 2017 Department of Homeland Security rescinding of DACA , a decision that affected student safety . We endorsed Marshall Tuck for superintendent of public instruction . We began a design of a new strategic plan that will send our organization into a new trajectory . Finally , we responded to the need for something to be done around school safety and launched the Fatal School Violence Task Force , a team that will work hard this summer in the areas of preparedness , prevention and advocacy / legislation .
Here ’ s to a summer that I hope brings you some time to reflect , refresh , practice mindfulness , and return to students in late summer ready to take on a new year , new challenges and new goals . So I conclude with a Mayan phrase that seems most fitting : In Lak ’ ech
In Lak ’ ech translates to : I am you and you are me . The way to a good end is to create a positivity for life , especially through leadership . Every action we take affects other living things . We are who we are when we are strong together . And with ACSA , we are many members and we are many schools and districts .
But we are one ACSA . Thank you for the
opportunity to serve and to lead .
– Lisa Gonzales ACSA President