Education Platform 2022

We sincerely thank CDP Delegates for prioritizing Black student achievement and recognizing the unique and important needs of Black students by adopting the CDP Black Caucus amendments to the CDP Platform. This is a significant step towards rectifying the core values of the Democratic Party — equality, opportunity, justice, and inclusivity for all — with the reality that Black students still face today.

The CDP Black Caucus sought changes to the CDP Platform for the simple fact that the 2020 platform excluded the unique and important needs of Black students.  We are very concerned, as all Democrats who care about Black children should be, that our schools leave over two-thirds of Black children unable to read or write at grade level, nearly 80% below grade level in math, and 86% falling below science standards. Black students are subjected to harsh and disproportionate discipline.  In addition, rising incidents of overt racism directed towards Black students in our schools are frequently the subject of news reports throughout California.  These conditions are unacceptable. 

The CDP Black Caucus was proud to have participated in a fair, public, and transparent process facilitated by the CDP Platform Committee to advocate for these important changes.  In the lead-up to this convention, the Platform Committee facilitated an inclusive months-long process that began in the summer of 2021.  The process was public and open to all Democrats.  The Black Caucus participated in six hearings and had a diverse coalition of people representing various civil rights organizations, Democratic Clubs, delegates, central committee members, and everyday Democrats from across California, most of them parents. 

Thank you for including the following changes in the 2022 Democratic Party Platform to specifically call out and address the needs of Black children and students as it relates to birth and beyond, school funding and closing yawning academic achievement gaps:

Children Young Adults and Their Families Plank

• Bullet 1: Work to increase the percentage of Black mothers who receive prenatal care and to decrease Black infant and maternal mortality;

Education Plank: Pre-K – 12

• Bullet 4: Strive for full proficiency in English language arts and mathematics especially for historically low-performing demographic subgroups such as socioeconomically disadvantaged students, students with disabilities, foster youth, English language learners, Black or African American, American Indian, and Alaskan Native students, and other historically underperforming groups;
• Bullet 9: Work to close opportunity and achievement gaps by leveraging the flexibility of Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF), engaging parents and communities to develop accountability plans benefiting all students, particularly low income, English learners, Black or African American, American Indian, Alaskan Native students, foster children, and students with disabilities;
• Bullet 31: Support only those public charter schools that are managed authorized and monitored by public and elected boards, not-for-profit, and transparent in governance; have equitable admissions; adopt fair labor practices and respect labor neutrality; and supplement rather than supplant public education programs, particularly for students in historically low performing subgroups such as low income, English learners, Black or African American, American Indian, and Alaskan Native students, foster children and students with disabilities.
• Bullet 33: Support all public school options that provide parents and guardians of Black or African American, American Indian, and Alaskan Native students access to high quality educational alternatives to close achievement gaps;

Let us be clear, this Caucus will continue to fight for safe and culturally affirming educational environments that are free from overt and systemic racism. Thank you for your support and we look forward to advancing this important issue.