California will provide a world-class education for all students, from early childhood to adulthood. The Department of Education serves our state by innovating and collaborating with educators, schools, parents, and community partners. Together, as a team, we prepare students to live, work, and thrive in a multicultural, multilingual, and highly connected world.
The Equity Leads program, established with an annual investment of $2 million, aims to work closely with Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) to pinpoint and overcome barriers to equitable opportunities and services in education. This initiative seeks to address disparities in opportunities and academic achievements across student groups. A major component involves identifying and utilizing existing resources to support education professionals in areas such as preparation, recruitment, retention, and development. Additionally, the program emphasizes monitoring the effectiveness of local control and accountability plan goals, prioritizing assistance to schools receiving Equity Multiplier Funding. The specifics regarding the funding allocation to grantees will be based partly on yet-to-be-determined Equity Multiplier Funding, and initial applications do not require requesting specific amounts. LEAs may apply independently or on behalf of a consortium and may collaborate with higher education institutions, nonprofit educational service providers, or community-based organizations capable of meeting statutory goals and obligations.