LA Times - Opinion: Conservatives targeted LAUSD’s Black student achievement program. The district shouldn’t give in

Dorsey High School students and faculty who are a part of the Black Student Achievement Plan program in Los Angeles. Back row, from left, student Braxton Jordan, student Maki Draper, teacher Ebony Batiste, student Caleel Smith; front row, from left, Georgia Flowers Lee, co-chair of the BSAP Steering Committee, student Kei’Shawn Henderson and teacher Bryant Odega.

(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Los Angeles Unified School District has said it is removing race as a factor for determining which students will be helped by its Black Student Achievement Plan. The move comes after a federal civil rights complaint about the program was filed by a conservative group in Virginia in 2023. The group charged that the plan was unconstitutional because it targeted support for students based solely on race.

We have consulted with LAUSD on the Black Student Achievement Plan since its inception. It was established in 2021 after efforts by parents and community activists drew attention to the district’s dismal track record serving its Black students. In the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder, the school board voted to direct a portion of its funding for school policing to an improvement plan for the academic experiences and outcomes of Black students.

We supported this decision then and think its results show the plan should remain in place without removing race as a consideration factor. Not only has it helped Black students in Los Angeles, but Black student achievement programs generally help all the students in schools that have them....

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