Sacramento witnessed a powerful gathering on May 1st as LACOE joined forces with the Diverse Education Leaders Pipeline Initiative (DELPI) Coalition, a network of education organizations and co-sponsored by California Assemblymember Mia Bonta and Senator Steven Bradford, to advocate for the funding of the DELPI. This new investment in California's education system could see the credentialing, placement and retention of 300 diverse and culturally responsive TK-12 school administrators.  

Representatives from the DELPI Coalition, including members of LACOE’s Governmental Relations, Beginning Teacher Programs and Educational Leadership teams, visited lawmakers’ offices, sharing their personal experiences and emphasizing the importance of representation on campuses.

“We know the power of representation and how important it is for young people to see folks that look like them in leadership positions,” said Senator Bradford. “The Diverse Education Leaders Pipeline Initiative will help close the gap for administrators, open up pathways of advancement for teachers and strengthen our schools’ ability to deliver for the next generation of leaders."

One of the primary goals of the DELPI is to address the severe underrepresentation of school leaders of color across California. Despite 60% of K-12 public school students being Black or Latinx, only 32% of public schools have administrators from these communities. The percent of Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) administrators was 5.8%, while the percentage of AAPI students was 12.2%.  

“Learning loss documented during the pandemic makes it even more urgent for California to prioritize equitable outcomes for all students. Representation matters and we are not doing enough to diversify the teacher to administrator pipeline,” said Assemblymember Bonta. “This investment will improve school quality and academic achievement outcomes for all students with a focus on students of color.” 

Beyond its impact on aspiring administrators, the DELPI also aims to strengthen California's educator workforce and increase retention for educators of color by improving workplace culture in schools. Additionally, the initiative will collect recruitment and retention data to inform future policy decisions, ensuring continued progress.  

“Educators of color possess a unique understanding of the inequities posed by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Dr. Debra Duardo, Los Angeles County Superintendent of Schools. “It’s imperative that we increase the retention of leaders of color, who are able to identify and empathize with the specific challenges faced by students of color and can address the social, emotional and academic impacts of the pandemic through an equity lens.” 

The DELPI has garnered widespread support, with nearly 300 educators, parents and advocates from across the state joining Senator Bradford, Assemblymember Bonta and the DELPI coalition in recognizing the importance of this critical investment. This proposal presents a unique opportunity to empower leaders of color and serve the diverse communities of California, ultimately creating a brighter future for the next generation of leaders.  

“The DELPI coalition had a positive and productive advocacy day,” said LACOE Government Relations Executive Director Pamela Gibbs. “The coalition was able to build support and increase awareness amongst the Legislators and their legislative staff who represented their members,” she said.   

To learn more about the DELPI and its mission to champion diversity in education leadership, visit the Diversity in Leadership website and join the movement.