June 24, 2019
EDCAL 3
AB 751 is an equity game changer
The following was written by Dr.
Rosanna Mucetti, Superintendent of Napa
Valley Unified School District. Mucetti tes-
tified on behalf of ACSA to the Assembly
Education Committee in support of AB 751
(O’Donnell) on June 19.
AB 751 addresses the college opportu-
nity gap that plagues our California school
systems by opening doors to higher edu-
cation for students through the offering
of college entrance tests like the SAT or
ACT during the school day at no cost to
students.
As a first-generation college graduate
myself who proudly holds an under-
graduate degree from the University of
California, Berkeley, and as an education
leader whose career has spanned over 20
years in predominantly culturally and lin-
guistically diverse settings, I am a strong
supporter of this effort.
I have seen firsthand how important
these tests are to the future of our students,
and how vital it is to make them as easily
accessible as possible to historically under-
served student populations.
If school leaders are serious about
equitable access to college and career for
all students, this initiative is an excellent
start. As long as these tests serve as a crit-
ical component of the college admission
process, we must offer this opportunity for
equitable access.
I successfully scaled PSAT and SAT
days in San Leandro USD and will be scal-
ing PSAT and SAT days at all NVUSD
high schools in the 2019-2020 school year.
In my experience, SAT day opened a
dialogue across campus. Students who may
not have been aggressively pursuing college
as an option were suddenly excited about
exploring it. Immigrant parents like my
own received literature at their homes and
#ACSA
Advocates
This has been one
incredible school year.
A school year that has
seen natural disasters that affected
schools and districts in unimaginable
ways. A school year that has seen
school violence in even greater num-
bers than prior years. A school year
that has seen an increase in the mental
health needs of our students. It has
also been a school year where the pos-
itives have outnumbered the challeng-
es. A school year filled with triumphs,
students overcoming incredible odds,
school site staffs that have come to-
gether in times of crisis and need, and
one with entire communities coming
together to celebrate.
ACSA Governmental Relations advocate Martha Alvarez, Napa Valley Unified School District Superintendent
Rosanna Mucetti, Governmental Affairs Policy Director for the California Association of Student Councils
Jason Chen, and Assemblymember Patrick O’Donnell pose together after a hearing in the Assembly Education
Committee on AB 751.
began asking questions about the big test
day.
Taking the college exam on our high
school campus ensures students meet
at least one of the criteria of the college
application process and offers all of our
students the option of choosing college.
More historically underrepresented stu-
dents are connected to college recruitment,
literature, scholarships, and fee waivers
through these tests — all the elements that
privileged students have always had access
to.
By ensuring equitable access to the SAT
in the school setting, particularly to those
who have been historically underserved,
this simple systemic act provides the keys
to doors that have often been closed to
some of our students.
If we want to quickly create a col-
lege-going culture on our campuses and
remove entrenched barriers, we must
administer the SAT days. If local districts
and school boards like mine decide to lead
from the principles of equity and social jus-
tice, all of California’s public schools must
implement the SAT day.
This college admission requirement
should not happen for students despite
school districts, but rather because of the
equity efforts of their school district and
district leadership. Every student deserves
the chance to make a choice when it comes
to college.
ACSA hosted a meeting on Tuesday, June 18, with the California Retired Teachers Association and Faculty
Association of California Community Colleges to strategize on ways to protect the retirement security of
educators.
At the beginning of this school year, I
shared my feeling that education is an
opportunity for us to create magic for
our students, our staff, our districts,
and our communities. Just as many of
you are celebrating success, ACSA is
celebrating as well. This was a year of
serving our members in unprecedented
numbers, a year with a new strategic
plan with continued focus on what is
best for students, a year of advocacy
and one of making a difference. ACSA’s
Member Services department support-
ed members through natural disasters,
including the Camp Fire, where our
members were faced with supporting
their students and staff while also
dealing with their own personal losses.
Our members have utilized a multitude
of professional services, including a
network of experienced colleagues to
support members in an era of increased
labor unrest and strikes.
ACSA has responded to members’
needs. The association hired a senior
director of equity, evidence of a contin-
ued commitment to the work of ensur-
ing all students have the resources they
need to succeed in today’s world. The
Educational Services department saw a
record number of individuals participate
in professional development events this
year — 7,529 individuals, to be exact.
Members are training to be coaches
and mentors, so they can be well
equipped to support one another.
Our previous strategic plan placed an
emphasis on advocacy and turning our
association into one that is not only
proactive rather than reactive, but one
that is driving the bus on educational
initiatives that will support the best
interest of our students. We have mem-
bers serving on multiple committees
alongside the California Department of
Education staff and other educational
leaders. We continue to be at the table
during decision making. Legislative
Action Day is an example of how our
advocacy works. Of the five bills we
shared our stories around in Sacramen-
to on April 8, all five have been moved
into appropriations.
When a colleague asks you the inevita-
ble question “Why ACSA?,” I hope you
are ready to share your personal story
and how this organization has helped
you. Our voices are so powerful togeth-
er, important when we are advocating
for what is best for students.
Iván Carillo offers his support for SB 12, which in-
creases youth access to community based mental
health services.
ACSA advocate Martha Alvarez speaks with Assem-
blymember Dr. Shirley Weber at the California State
Capitol.
ACSA advocate Laura Preston offers her support
for AB 48, the Kindergarten-Community Colleges
Public Education Facilities Bond Acts of 2020 and
2022.
As I complete my year as president
of the Association of California School
Administrators, I will remember the
people most of all, what you do each
and every day statewide to make a dif-
ference for students and for our future.
Thank you for creating magic.
– Holly Edds
ACSA President