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California Charter Schools Association Endorses Proposition 16

July 28, 2020

CCSA is committed to equity, opportunity and advancing issues of social justice and civil rights

Los Angeles – Today, the California Charter Schools Association (CCSA) endorsed Proposition 16 (Prop 16), citing both the organization’s mission to provide California’s historically underserved and vulnerable students with the high-quality public education they deserve, as well as the findings from its 2019 research - “Charting the Course to Equity: K-12 Leaders of Color & Student Success.”

That aforementioned report found that overall performance of students of color—as measured by academics, college-going indicators, and suspension rates—improved when attending a public school led by an educator of color, suggesting that hiring practices and representation matter in the classroom. Prop 16 would help diversify California’s workforce of educators to better represent the state’s diverse student population by actively promoting equal opportunity in public education for women and people of color.

"I'm so proud to have California's diverse community of charter public school families on board in support of equal opportunity under the law," said Assemblywoman Dr. Shirley Weber (D-San Diego) of CCSA's endorsement. "CCSA understands that while restoring the promise of equal opportunity in California for all kids may begin with the passage of Prop 16, our fight doesn't end there. CCSA is in this fight with me for the long haul until California's shameful opportunity gap is closed once and for all."

CCSA’s endorsement follows a sustained effort over the last two years to eliminate the policy and funding barriers enacted under Proposition 209 (Prop 209) that deny traditional and charter public schools the tools necessary to more urgently close the opportunity gap. In partnership with Dr. Shirley Weber, CCSA sponsored  AB 2635 (Weber) in 2018 and AB 575 (Weber) in 2019 to improve funding and strengthen accountability for the education of California’s lowest performing students, African American students. 

“What our most successful schools have taught us is that hiring teachers and educators with whom historically underrepresented students can identify is a powerful lever in the tectonic effort to close the opportunity gap,” said CCSA President and CEO Myrna Castrejón. We’re in the middle of a historic teacher shortage in part because our aspiring teachers of color, and their critical role in elevating the condition of students of color, is not being actively affirmed. We can and must do better, which is why CCSA stands firmly in support of Prop 16.”

Forty-two states across the U.S., consider gender, race, and ethnicity when making decisions about government contracts, college admissions and job opportunities. Prop 16 will put California in alignment with the rest of the country. The 21st century calls on California to hire and promote more women and people of color to leadership positions and contract with minority-owned businesses that are equally qualified and reflects California’s values.

California is a majority minority state and the fifth largest economy in the world. However, the disparity in job and educational opportunities for communities of color is undeniable. Prop 16 will permit California schools, state agencies and local governments to initiate programs considering race, ethnicity and sex to increase equity and inclusion for decisions about state contracts, hiring, recruitment and education. CCSA encourages Californians to join them in furthering equal opportunities for all by supporting Prop 16. 

To learn more about Proposition 16 visit: voteyesonprop16.org. To learn more about California’s nonprofit charter schools follow CCSA on Twitter @CALcharters.