LOS ANGELES – Whether it’s college, career, or military service, Los Angeles Unified wants every student’s post-graduation step to be celebrated.
Today, the Los Angeles Unified Board of Education unanimously approved the resolution,“LA Unified Commitment Day: Celebrating Postsecondary Pathways for All Students,” authored by Board Member Tanya Ortiz Franklin and co-sponsored by all Board Members.
Inspired in part by former First Lady Michelle Obama’s National College Signing Day and Commitment Day, Board District 7 launched this effort in 2021, during the pandemic, as a virtual event to celebrate students’ college commitments. It quickly grew into a powerful in-person celebration, bringing together more than 2,000 Board District 7 students and families at California State University Dominguez Hills, where seniors walked across the stage and proudly announced what comes next and students of all ages and their families engaged in a resource fair of over 50 university and community partners. Then in 2025, the event expanded districtwide at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, continuing a strong college-going and career-ready culture.
Now, that same energy is going districtwide across all of our schools.
“Our students are brilliant, resilient and full of promise,” Board Member Tanya Ortiz Franklin said. “I am proud to have authored a resolution that will honor the college and post-secondary pathways of our seniors districtwide for years to come. Commitment Day is a public celebration of our seniors and a preview for younger students to see the bright possibilities ahead of them.”
The initiative aligns with LA Unified’s Strategic Plan goal to increase college and career readiness and responds to the need to close persistent equity gaps in access to postsecondary opportunities. While 58.4% of students in the 2024–2025 graduating cohort met A–G requirements with a “C” or better, disparities remain among student groups, underscoring the importance of early exposure, resources, and community engagement.
With this resolution, LA Unified will:
- Commit to strong college-going and career-ready culture
- Promote postesecondary access and completion
- Create meaningful opportunities to recognize and celebrate students accomplishments and postsecondary commitments
- Support Commitment day celebrations across schools, providing a tool kit and resources
- Annually recognize student commitments at a May Board meeting
“Commitment Day honors the hard work of our students and reinforces a culture where college, career, and lifelong learning are within reach for all,” Acting Superintendent Andrés E. Chait said. “By lifting up the many paths students can take, we are ensuring every student is ready for the world and reinforcing our district’s commitment to college and career readiness.”
"Establishing a culture that gives students options is what we do at LAUSD,” LAUSD Board President Scott M. Schmerelson said. “Encouraging schools and staff to celebrate Commitment Day helps motivate our students to greatly consider how they choose to live their lives after graduation. Even the board can do more to help our students. I feel especially proud of the culture we have developed in Board District 3 with our Student Advisory Council. This year, we had 12 seniors in our council, and all 12 will be going to college next year, and of those 12, 8 are women. This is a culture of excellence, and it belongs in all LAUSD.”
"Commitment Day is about building a culture where every student’s next step, college or career, is seen, supported, and celebrated," Board Vice President Dr. Rocío Rivas said.
“Commitment Day is a celebration of our students’ futures and highlights the many paths they will embark on, including college, career training and service,” Board Member Sherlett Hendy Newbill said.
“Every year, our students make incredible postsecondary commitments—to colleges, careers, military service, and other pathways,” Board Member Nick Melvoin said. “Events like Commitment Day give us a powerful opportunity to recognize those achievements and send a clear message: we see you, we celebrate you, and we believe in your future.”
“Congratulations to all our high school seniors on college signing day! Whether you are headed to an institution of higher learning or choosing a career pathway, today is a celebration of all your hard work to celebrate your achievements and how far you’ve come,” said Board Member Karla Griego.
“College Signing Days are some of the most exciting and personally fulfilling moments. Seeing our students’ and families’ joy is a profound reminder of why we do this work,” said Board Member Kelly Gonez. “Regardless of the path after graduation, whether college or apprenticeships or a career, these are the culmination of years of investment, support, and love. I look forward to continuing to celebrate the future Class of 2026.”
The district will designate an office to support implementation and track participation, ensuring that Commitment Day continues to grow as a cornerstone of LA Unified’s college and career readiness efforts.
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Contact: Alexandria Castellanos
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (213) 608-5897