Compton, CA) On September 29th, the Compton Unified School District convened an emergency meeting to take bold steps to safeguard the learning and educational outcomes of Black students. The motion, Item No. 1085, passed on a vote of six (6) to one (1) and continues to build upon the District’s previous efforts to ensure Black students have access to equitable education opportunities during school site closures and beyond.

The motion builds upon previous guidance issued by the State of California and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health that allows small cohorts of students who stand to be most negatively impacted by distance learning, and who require specialized support services, to return to campuses in small learning cohorts. This motion designates the District’s Black students as a potential cohort of academically at-risk group who could benefit from traditional classroom-based education.

“There are many Black students who sorely need the kind of quality education support that they can only receive in the classroom,” stated Board President Micah Ali. “Prior to the pandemic, Black students have been on the receiving end of long-standing disparities in educational outcomes. We seek to not amplify those challenges. Though distance learning offers a number of benefits, we need to ensure that the most effective tried and true methods are utilized so we can provide those students in need of enhanced support the opportunity to reach their learning potential.”

The resolution requires the District to develop a plan for ensuring that Black students have equitable access to the benefits of participating in onsite learning cohorts, in addition to the already-established priority groups of special education, and English language learners.

“Although Compton Unified has been a leader in safely responding to Coronavirus, it is important to prioritize the students who are at highest risk of negative learning outcomes,” stated Superintendent Darin Brawley. “There is no redo button when it comes to a child’s education – we must ensure that we are doing all that we can to get it done right the first-time around.”

The academic well-being and success of Black students has long been a pressing issue in Compton Unified, who voted in July to establish the Office of Black Student Excellence. It is anticipated that the student group may begin participating in learning cohorts November 2, 2020.