Employees from the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) joined education leaders from across California at the State Capitol earlier this month for the “DELPI Reinvestment Campaign Advocacy Day,” organized by the LACOE Governmental Relations Department and the Diversity in Leadership Institute. The event brought together a broad coalition of educators, school districts, county offices of education, charter schools and nonprofit partners to advocate for sustained investment in the state’s Diverse Education Leaders Pipeline Initiative (DELPI).

Throughout the day, participants met with state legislators and staff to share firsthand perspectives on the importance of developing a strong, diverse pipeline of school leaders. Their central request: a commitment from the state to provide $10 million annually for five years to sustain and expand DELPI’s impact.

Launched in 2023, DELPI is a state-funded initiative designed to strengthen and diversify California’s school leadership workforce. The program provides grants to local education agencies in partnership with universities and nonprofit organizations, enabling educators to earn administrative credentials at no cost. By removing financial barriers and emphasizing culturally responsive leadership, DELPI aims to prepare principals and school leaders who better reflect and serve the state’s diverse student population.

LACOE participants highlighted the program’s early success and growing demand. Nearly all available program slots have been filled, and DELPI is on track to support hundreds of new administrators by 2027. Advocates emphasized that research consistently links strong school leadership to improved teacher retention, higher student achievement and better overall school outcomes.

Advocacy Day conversations also underscored the urgency of securing ongoing funding. DELPI is currently supported through one-time funding and is set to sunset on June 30, 2027. Without renewed investment, the program’s progress and the opportunity to expand its reach could be at risk.

State funding decisions will be determined through the annual budget process, with the Legislature required to pass a final budget by June 15 and the Governor expected to sign it by June 30. Advocates stressed that including DELPI funding in this year’s budget agreement is critical to maintaining momentum and ensuring continuity for future cohorts.

If approved, the proposed $10 million annual investment would allow DELPI to continue training aspiring administrators, strengthen partnerships across the education system and scale its impact statewide.

For LACOE and its partners, Advocacy Day served as both a call to action and a reminder of the collective commitment to advancing equity and excellence in education through leadership development.