The Diverse Education Leaders Pipeline Initiative (DELPI), sponsored by California Assemblymember Mia Bonta and Senator Steven Bradford, is a 2023-24 proposal to invest in the credentialing, placement, and retention of 300 diverse and culturally responsive TK-12 aspiring school administrators. If approved, this initiative will help close persistent student equity gaps and increase diversity within the TK-12 school administrator pipeline.
Research shows that all students have better academic and behavioral outcomes when they attend schools led by diverse and culturally responsive TK-12 administrators who reflect the rich diversity of the school communities they serve. Yet in California, diverse TK-12 administrators are grossly underrepresented. In 2018, while 60% of students in K-12 public schools identified as Black or Latinx, only 20% of public schools were led by Black or Latinx principals.
The proposal is an $18 million investment to uplift student equity by providing grants to local education agencies, qualifying community-based organizations and credentialing institutions to increase diversity among school leaders to better reflect the students, teachers and communities they serve.
The Diverse Education Leaders Pipeline Initiative is co-sponsored by California state Assemblymember Mia Bonta (District 14) and California state Senator Steven Bradford (District 35). Additional co-sponsors include the Diversity in Leadership Institute, the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE), and a host of other educators, parents, students, and community based organizations across the state. Read below for a full list of all sponsors and partners.
Assemblymember
Mia Bonta
Mia Bonta was elected to serve California’s 18th Assembly District in a special election on August 31, 2021. The 18thAssembly District encompasses the East Bay area of Northern California. It includes a large portion of the City of Oakland and the cities of Emeryville and Alameda. Assemblymember Bonta’s priority is to make California a more affordable, inclusive, and equitable home for all.
SENATOR
STEVEN BRADFORD
Senator Steven Bradford brings a lifetime of experience to the California Legislature. In over two decades of public service – first as a Gardena City Councilmember, then as a State Assemblymember and now as a State Senator. Steven made history when he became the first African American elected to the Gardena City Council.
Diversity in Leadership Institute
Los Angeles County Office of Education
Loyola Marymount Univ. School of Ed.
Urban League
UNCF
The Education Trust-West
Teach for America California
California Federation of Teachers
TNTP
Education Leaders of Color
Educators for Excellence
GPSN
Innovate Public Schools
Alliance for a Better Community
Communities In Schools Los Angeles
California Association of African-American Superintendents and Administrators
Center for Powerful Public Schools
Communities In Schools Los Angeles
Families in Action
Children Now
Black Educator Advocate Network
Watts of Power Foundation
JLC Social Impact Consulting
Partnership for Los Angeles Schools
Teach Plus
If we want better outcomes for our students and the educators who serve them, we must prioritize the development of diverse and culturally responsive school leaders. More importantly, our investment in school leaders cannot remain status quo if we want different results.
Please help us elevate this initiative by signing our petition and joining our campaign!
We believe that there is a promising path towards equity and student success for all students, and it starts with diverse school leadership.
For updates about the Diverse Education Leaders Pipeline Initiative, follow the Diversity in Leadership Institute on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.
