“Black Families, Community Partners, and District Together as One”
Los Angeles USD's Investment to Close the Achievement Gap
In an inspiring effort to bridge the achievement gap and foster inclusive education, the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) has unveiled its groundbreaking Black Student Achievement Plan. Designed to address Black students' unique needs and challenges, this comprehensive initiative aims to empower excellence, unlock potential, and cultivate a supportive environment that nurtures their educational journey.
Overview
The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) is the largest public school system in California in terms of the number of students and the second largest public school district in the United States serving 538,295 students, of which 20,493 (as of 2022/23) are Black and African American students (California Department of Education).
LAUSD recognized that Black students have historically faced systemic barriers that hinder their academic success. The Black Student Achievement Plan (BSAP) acknowledges these disparities, striving to dismantle them through targeted interventions and proactive support systems. The plan has been meticulously structured to place Black families, communities, and students at the center of generating the building blocks of what a successful Black Student Achievement Plan should look like with the priority to provide high academic performance, strong social-emotional awareness, and management, and positive cultural identity to all black students.
Learning From the Community With the Hope to Better Serve Them
LAUSD Board Presentation (February 8, 2022) –
Black Student Achievement Plan
BSAP prioritized incorporating the lived experiences of Black students and families into instructional planning. LAUSD fostered strong partnerships between schools, families, and the community to ensure the success of the Black Student Achievement Plan. They engaged families through initiatives like conferences, workshops, and forums, encouraging collaboration and empowering parents in their child's education. Advisory councils consisting of Black students, families, staff, and partners were established to inform BSAP policies and decisions. The plan also facilitated surveys to gather feedback and information from Black students and families to collectively support them. Additionally, LAUSD implemented Black Cultural Arts grade-level experiences.
Providing a Platform to Students and Families to Thrive
LAUSD empowers Black students by giving them a voice and platform to express their needs and aspirations. This includes student-led organizations, leadership programs, and civic engagement opportunities. LAUSD also supports creating or enhancing Black Student Unions to promote diversity, academics, community service, and outreach. Additionally, LAUSD organizes events like the Black Speaker Student Empowerment series and college tours, including visits to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
The success of the Black Student Achievement Plan relies on strong partnerships between schools, families, and the community. LAUSD actively involves families through initiatives such as parent-teacher conferences, workshops, and community forums (BSAP Family Reunion). These efforts promote collaboration and empower parents to play an active role in their child's education. LAUSD also establishes Black Parents Resource Centers and organizes community fairs and a Summer Black Gala, providing students, parents, and community members with engagement opportunities.
GARDENA HIGH.m4vBSAP Family Reunion at Gardena High School (April 15, 2023)
Fostering Culturally Responsible Academics and Social-Emotional Well-Being
"BSAP Making a Difference" Video interview of staff and students and their experience with the programs and services provided through the BSAP
LAUSD's plan focuses on providing a culturally responsive curriculum that incorporates diverse perspectives, histories, and experiences to create an inclusive learning environment for Black students. Teachers use Gholdy Muhammad's Framework - Cultivating Genius (HEET Community of School) to develop culturally responsive units of instruction. School site teams, including parents, students, community members, and staff, conduct curriculum audits using a scorecard to revise and supplement the curriculum based on their findings.
In addition to academics, the plan prioritizes social-emotional learning to provide comprehensive support for Black students. Schools use English and Mathematics data to design Tier 2 and Tier 3 individual student support structures within the school day. School site team members review academic and social-emotional data on a five-week cycle to develop action plans for continuous improvement of student support.
Recruitment, selection, and retention of a diverse workforce that reflects the Black student population is crucial for the success of this support system. Specialized positions, such as Pupil Service and Attendance Counselors, Academic Counselors, Restorative Justice Teachers, Psychiatric Social Workers, and School Climate Advocates, help create and maintain the multi-tiered support structure. These programs also provide mentoring and support networks for students, ensuring access to positive role models and guidance throughout their academic journey.
Promoting Internal and External Accountability to Improve Black Student Performance
LAUSD understands that empowering educators with the necessary tools and knowledge is pivotal to promoting Black student achievement. The plan emphasizes comprehensive professional development and training programs for teachers, equipping them with culturally competent teaching strategies and techniques. In addition, the district has partnered with USC Rossier School of Education to establish a teacher residency program (Article 1, Article 2) focusing on increasing the number of Black educators.
LAUSD's commitment to accountability and evidence-based practices is exemplified through its use of data-driven decision-making. By analyzing academic data, identifying trends, and implementing targeted interventions, the district continuously adapts its strategies to meet the evolving needs of Black students. The BSAP open data dashboard provides a great resource for family and community partners to oversee program implementation and progress and provides data transparency.
District and school administrators actively look to partner with community partners and organizations to increase awareness of the plan and provide safe passage to students and school staff within the neighborhood community. School staff, principals and administrators participate in anti-black racism professional development opportunities and culturally responsive leadership professional development actively implement strategies to reduce biases and promote a more inclusive environment for Black students to thrive.
Lessons Learned
The Los Angeles Unified School District's Black Student Achievement Plan offers valuable lessons in closing the achievement gap by prioritizing the unique needs of Black students. A key takeaway is the emphasis on community engagement, incorporating lived experiences into instructional planning through partnerships and advisory councils. The initiative also highlights the significance of providing platforms for Black students' voices, fostering leadership, and promoting cultural responsiveness in academics and social-emotional well-being. LAUSD's commitment to internal and external accountability, evidenced through professional development and data-driven decision-making, ensures educators are equipped with culturally competent strategies. The plan sets a transformative standard, showcasing the importance of collaboration, empowerment, and holistic support to create an inclusive educational environment where Black students can thrive academically and personally.
Meet the Team
Dr. Robert Whitman
Educational Transformation Officer, Black Student Achievement Plan
Dr. Travis Brandy
Senior Director, Black Student Initiatives
Norma Spencer
Administrator, Black Student Achievement Plan