CONTACT: Christine Louise Mills
[email protected]
(213) 503-0883
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Los Angeles Unified Calls for New Census Category to Fully Recognize
Armenian-American Community
Joins the Growing Call for Demographic Data and Representation
Los Angeles, CA (April 18, 2023) - Today, the Los Angeles Unified Board of Education voted unanimously to support the inclusion of the new Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) category, and an Armenian checkbox for the United States Census questionnaire. Authored by Board Member Dr. Rocío Rivas and Board Vice President Scott M. Schmerelson and co-sponsored by the rest of the Board, the resolution seeks to rectify decades of inadequate representation of the Armenian American community, caused by a lack of Census data.
Los Angeles Unified is the second largest school district in the United States and serves the largest community of persons of Armenian descent outside of Armenia. “As an immigrant of Mexican descent, I am truly heartened that our District can be an ally to Armenian Americans who have long advocated for this vital change," Dr. Rivas, said. “The simple fact of not being uniquely counted in the Census has led to Armenian American students being rendered invisible and therefore underserved within U.S. public schools as immigrants, refugees and English Language Learners.”
Board Vice President Schmerelson added, “I am fully in support of the inclusion of the MENA category and a specific Armenian checkbox in the US census questionnaire. This change is critical in improving the accuracy of racial and ethnic data, which is important for enforcing civil rights protections, to guide policy making and research and to accurately redraw voting districts.”
“As we commemorate Armenian History Month across Los Angeles County and recognize the contributions of Armenian Americans to our history, culture and success, we must make space and empower our distinct student populations at Los Angeles Unified,” Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho said. “In making our schools more inclusive by collecting more meaningful and comprehensive data, we are meeting students where they are and elevating them to be ready for the world.”
“We need good demographic information to best serve all our students and their families,” Board President Jackie Goldberg said. “While more Armenian students come to Los Angeles Unified schools than any other district in the nation, for too long we have operated without good Census data about where these students live and what their needs are.”
“Our goal should always be to prioritize a calendar that emphasizes the quality of instructional time for our students,” Board Member Dr. George J. McKenna III said. “I hope that we have achieved balance with the instructional needs as well as school/life balance for our students, staff and their families.”
“I’m proud to support LA Unified’s efforts to help ensure that data collected by the census accurately captures and reflects the diversity of our Armenian families and communities – in Los Angeles and nationwide,” Board Member Nick Melvoin said.
“As a Board Member, I’m honored to represent and partner with the Armenian community on a variety of issues, including our event tomorrow to highlight student voices in remembrance of the Armenian Genocide,” Board Member Kelly Gonez said. “Recognizing our Armenian community members in the 2030 Census is yet another way to ensure they are seen and heard by our elected leaders and in our policies. I look forward to continued advocacy to secure meaningful representation on the 2030 Census.”
“As the second largest school district in the nation serving one of the most diverse communities, I join my colleagues in advocating for the inclusion of the MENA and “Hispanic or Latino” Census categories to help ensure federal data accurately reflects the racial and ethnic diversity of our nation,” Board Member Tanya Ortiz Franklin said. “An accurate Census count – and descriptions that more clearly capture our nation’s identities – is essential to understand our communities to provide the necessary resources and support to our students.”
In addition to approving the motion to support the checkbox, the District formally acknowledges its support for the efforts of the Armenian National Committee of America Western Region, Armenian American Action Network and other organizations that are advocating for the inclusion of the MENA category and an Armenian checkbox in the 2030 U.S. Census. The forthcoming letter to the Office of Management and Budget by Superintendent Carvalho will convey the importance of this inclusion for the Armenian American Students of LAUSD and Armenian American community of Los Angeles.