LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Unified Board of Education today adopted a California Education Policy Agenda establishing a multi-year framework to guide the District’s advocacy on state policies and investments that affect the educational success and well-being of Los Angeles Unified students.
The agenda brings together key policy priorities across academics, accountability, education funding, school facilities, student homelessness and other key areas. It is intended to provide a coordinated framework for engagement with the next Governor, State Superintendent of Public Instruction and state legislators and other policymakers, while complementing the District’s annual Advocacy Agenda adopted by the Los Angeles Unified Board of Education each year to inform the upcoming legislative session. The Board is scheduled to consider the 2027 Advocacy Agenda and revised Advocacy Guiding Principles and Priorities on December 15, 2026.
“As California prepares for new state leadership, we have an opportunity to focus on the policies that will make the greatest difference for students and the educators who serve them,” Superintendent Andrés E. Chait said. “Los Angeles Unified is committed to being a constructive partner and bringing the perspective of our students, families and school communities to that conversation. Our policy priorities are grounded in what we know our schools need to provide every student with the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive, and we look forward to working with the next Governor and State Superintendent to strengthen public education across California.”
The policy agenda reflects the scale and diversity of Los Angeles Unified and the District’s experience addressing challenges that are shared by school systems across California. It is grounded in the District’s core beliefs of equity, collaboration and excellence and leverages research, policy and practice to inform these priorities over the next several years.
The agenda, including an Executive Summary, can be accessed here.
Among the agenda’s priorities are:
Strengthening academics and student preparation
- Promoting high-quality early learning, including advocating for the full funding of the new single reimbursement system.
- Supporting mandatory kindergarten.
- Strengthening teacher preparation to ensure that prospective teachers enter the classroom with the knowledge and skills that allow them to feel prepared and supported from the start. Reviewing curriculum and graduation requirements to identify classes or content areas that can be combined or streamlined to create greater flexibility and opportunities for students.
- Expanding college and career readiness, in particular by ensuring all students statewide have access to dual enrollment and career technical education opportunities.
Improving accountability and reducing administrative burden
The District advocates for streamlined state reporting systems that create greater coherence and alignment with state priorities while reducing administrative demands on schools and districts across the state.
Advancing adequate and sustainable education funding
The agenda calls for protecting Proposition 98 by fully funding the guarantee each year, and updating the Local Control Funding Formula to augment district resources while supporting equity and reducing the achievement gap. The District also recommends examining enrollment-based funding, strengthening special education funding reimbursements, reducing the costs of health care and pensions and identifying additional state revenue solutions to support public education.
Balancing AI innovation with appropriate guardrails
As generative artificial intelligence and chatbots become increasingly prevalent, the agenda calls for continued state regulation to address potential risks to children while supporting responsible innovation in education.
Giving schools greater flexibility during emergencies
The District advocates for standardized state administrative tools and processes that can automatically provide appropriate flexibilities when a declared natural disaster or other emergency occurs, allowing local decision-makers to respond more effectively in real time.
Streamlining school facilities projects
The agenda supports reducing state project review timelines and providing greater state support for local decision-making related to the consolidation and reconfiguration of schools.
Addressing student’s physical and mental health needs
The agenda recognizes the evolving nature of schools as safe spaces and providers of health and wellness services, and encourages the State to consider schools as the front-line to address the growing youth mental health crisis and allocate resources accordingly. It calls on the State to make adjustments, as necessary, to help schools maximize reimbursements from the Children and Youth Behavioral Initiative and from the School-Based Medi-Cal Administrative Activities and Local Education Agency Billing Options Program. It also urges the State to prioritize allocating directly to local educational agencies the $2.1 billion from the recent Meta settlement.
Strengthening support for students experiencing housing instability
The District calls for ongoing, dedicated funding through the Local Control Funding Formula to support the unique needs of homeless students. Additionally, the agenda advocates for stronger coordination among the State, local governments and school districts to create a more integrated system of support for students experiencing homelessness and housing instability.
The Los Angeles Unified Office of Government Relations will use the policy agenda to strengthen partnerships with the next Governor, newly elected state officials and other policymakers, and to advocate for policies aligned with District goals. The District will continue to engage labor partners, urban school districts and local and statewide education organizations to identify opportunities for shared legislative and budget priorities.
BOARD MEMBER QUOTES
Board President Scott M. Schmerelson
“LAUSD will fight for education policy changes and funding in all aspects for students and employees” said. “Our advocacy does not include just things for education. We advocate for housing and healthcare. We argue for more equitable systems. The local school does not operate in a silo. It is a reflection of the neighborhood that surrounds it. If our communities do better, if our families do better at home, then the school will operate better to serve its students."
Board Vice President Dr. Rocío Rivas
"Our Education Policy Agenda reflects our commitment to putting students and families first. This is about advancing policies that strengthen our schools, support educators, and ensure every student has the opportunity to thrive."
Board Member Sherlett Hendy Newbill
“This Education Policy Agenda is a roadmap for Los Angeles Unified’s advocacy for the resources and policies our students and families deserve. I am proud to support an agenda grounded in equity and collaboration, that is focused on ensuring every student graduates ready for the world.”
Board Member Karla Griego
“As part of this California Education Policy Agenda, our district continues to uplift student wellness as a key priority for the District. Our advocacy is centered on supporting our most vulnerable student populations - including Black students, special education students, immigrant students, LGBTQ+ youth, and unhoused students. Furthermore, we remain dedicated to advocating at the state level to uphold the Proposition 98 guarantee, securing the constitutionally promised resources necessary to support the academic and personal growth of every student.”
Board Member Nick Melvoin
"As the largest school district in the state, I’m glad that we are setting a dynamic policy agenda that includes phone-free school days, screen time limits, community-based safety, TK expansion, dual enrollment, employee housing, and more. We look forward to working with new leadership in Sacramento as we continue advocating for the needs of our students, families, and school communities.”
Board Member Kelly Gonez
“As we anticipate a new Governor next year, Los Angeles Unified is poised to continue its advocacy on behalf of our students, families, and schools. By laying out our long-term priorities, we are ensuring we can work together to bring the changes we urgently need.”
Board Member Tanya Ortiz Franklin
"As the largest school district in the state, LAUSD stands ready to be a thought partner to our newly elected leaders next month, next year and next decade. We welcome the opportunity to engage in policy and budget decisions that will impact California students for years to come, including early childhood, career readiness and fair funding."