Standing United: Protecting Immigrant Families, Celebrating Inclusion, Key Insights from Our 2025 LCAP Survey and Championing Equitable Education from Summit to Schoolhouse

Collage featuring various activities of Parents for Public Schools of San Francisco, including community events, workshops, and advocacy efforts. The central text reads "Bridge Parents. Demystify Policy. Amplify Voices," reflecting the organization's mission. Donate to support our work.

At Parents for Public Schools of San Francisco, we know that strong public schools are the foundation of a vibrant, equitable community. For 25 years, we've been a steadfast voice, empowering families and students to navigate complex systems, understand their rights, and advocate for family-centered policies.

This week, we're energized by connections and insights gained from participating in critical conversations and by the results of our recently completed 2025 LCAP (Local Control and Accountability Plan) Survey.

Power of Community: Reflections from the CA Community School Empower Summit

On June 12th and 13th, we joined 1900 educators, parents, and community members at the 2025 CA Community School Empower Summit, united by a shared belief in the transformative power of community-oriented public schools in closing opportunity gaps. We're taking away valuable strategies and connections to strengthen our approach in San Francisco, ensuring that the voices of all families are heard and valued.

Championing Multilingual Education at the CABE MEDLI Institute

Next week, we're excited to join 2500 educators, parents, and community members at the California Association of Bilingual Educators Multilingual Education and Dual Language Institute (MEDLI). This institute underscores our commitment to honoring and supporting the rich diversity of our student population, a commitment reflected in our LCAP survey findings.

What Our 2025 LCAP Survey Revealed:

Our annual LCAP survey provides valuable insights from parents, community members, and district stakeholders about their experiences and priorities. Here are some key takeaways:

·      Diverse Perspectives: Respondents represent a broad range of racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds, offering a holistic understanding of the district's needs. This feedback helps ensure that our advocacy is informed by the lived realities of our community.

·      Moderate Satisfaction with Room to Grow: While respondents expressed moderate satisfaction (averaging around "2.5" on a 4-point scale) with SFUSD's efforts to build trusting relationships and create welcoming environments, there's a clear call for significant improvement. This reinforces the importance of our ongoing work to bridge parents and the district.

·      Key Areas for Enhancement: The survey highlighted several key areas needing attention, including family engagement, understanding cultural backgrounds, and accessible communication. This data informs our strategic priorities and guides our efforts to demystify policy and advocate for more effective solutions.

·      Need for Greater Impact: The consistent "2.5" scores indicate that while SFUSD's efforts are noticeable, they are not yet transformative. We must continue to push for more impactful and equitable outcomes for all students.

Moving Forward: Informed by Community Voices

The LCAP findings directly inform our ongoing advocacy efforts:

·      Deepening Community Engagement: We will prioritize initiatives that deepen community listening and engagement, particularly among families of students with special education needs and English Language Learners. As the LCAP survey states we will, "Host a series of targeted focus groups, town hall meetings, and listening sessions that include diverse parent, student, and community voices—particularly families of students in special education and English Language Learner (EL) programs."

·      Enhancing Communication Strategies: We will advocate for more explicit and accessible communication strategies that reach multilingual and multicultural families, ensuring everyone has access to the information they need to participate meaningfully in school governance. As the LCAP survey states we will, "Develop a tailored and targeted communication plans to communicate with multilingual and multicultural families, that utilize multiple channels, such as multilingual flyers, social media, community meetings, and dedicated outreach events- emphasizing accessible language and culturally responsive messaging."

·      Tailoring Support and Resources: We will continue to champion policies and programs that provide tailored support and resources for students with special needs and English Language Learners, addressing specific needs and reducing barriers to participation. As the LCAP survey states we will, "Increase resources and support services for families with children in special education and EL programs, ensuring they receive personalized assistance and information."

United in Support: Protection of Immigrant Families is Paramount

We stand in solidarity with all parents and caregivers in the immigrant communities of the Bay Area and beyond. We recognize the vital contributions these individuals make to our local communities. We urge local government officials to use their authority to protect these mothers, fathers, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and all caregivers whose hard work our local communities depend on.

To our incredible public-school districts, we implore you to implement clear policies and procedures that safeguard our schools as safe havens. Immigration agents should not be allowed to enter our schools.

Protect Our Parents: Knowing Your Rights

The U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights offer valuable resources that address protections against discrimination based on national origin and immigration status in public schools. We encourage everyone to utilize these resources which is shared on our social media channels, and we urge community leaders to share it widely with families and school staff.

 However, we also recognize the operational challenges faced by many school districts, particularly urban ones like SFUSD, which often struggle with budget deficits and staffing shortages. These challenges can impact a district’s ability to adequately protect vulnerable communities. We must advocate for adequate funding and resources to ensure all schools can fulfill their responsibility to protect all students and families.

Inclusive Graduation: A Vital Step Toward Strengthening Our Democracy

We must also address instances where our commitment to equity falls short. Students with intellectual disabilities have the fundamental right to celebrate their accomplishments alongside their peers. Yet, many are being denied the opportunity to participate in commencement—a pivotal moment that recognizes their resilience, hard work, and achievements. Excluding these students from such ceremonies not only diminishes their voices but also undermines the principles of inclusion and equality that are vital to our democracy. Our schools must champion inclusivity in all aspects of student life.

Equitable Grading: More Than "Being Nice," It's About Accuracy and Opportunity

And what about equity inside of the classroom? In today's climate, the truth about equitable grading must be shared. Equitable grading isn't about lowering standards. It's about creating a system that accurately reflects student learning, reduces bias, and promotes success for all students, regardless of their background or learning style. Equitable grading is a system that demonstrates skill proficiency. The benefits of a pilot test of equitable grading include: more accurate reflection of knowledge and skills, reduced stress and anxiety, increased motivation, and improved academic outcomes.

Moving Forward Together

Parents for Public Schools of San Francisco is committed to advocating for policies and practices that support all students and families in our community. We encourage you to:

·      Share this blog post: Help us spread the word and raise awareness.

·      Contact your local representatives: Advocate for policies that protect immigrant families and support inclusive education.

·      Support Parents for Public Schools of San Francisco: Your donations help us continue our work to build stronger, more equitable public schools for all.

Only together can we create a community where every student has the opportunity to thrive.

I admire you all.

Vanessa