INTRODUCTION
California's public servants, including the Governor, State Superintendent of Public Instruction and State Legislators, have a significant responsibility and will have the power to uplift millions of Californians and brighten their futures. The past few years have been marked by both incredible struggle for California's children, families and residents; and important progress towards better policies and systems change to serve them. While these successes should be celebrated, significant work remains.
Serving as a powerful business-education intermediary, UNITE-LA connects the business community to education-systems leaders to work together to create an equitable education and workforce system through local, state and federal policies and investments. Over the last 25 years, UNITE-LA has sparked collaboration between nontraditional stakeholders and contributed to historic budgetary and legislative victories on issues, such as: Transitional Kindergarten, Paid Family Leave (PFL), Reimbursement Rate Reform, Dual Language Learning, community schools, financial aid completion, immigration and workforce development for opportunity youth. These policy wins have resulted in investments that have improved lives in historically marginalized communities and improved economic mobility.
We are all responsible for transforming our institutions and systems to support all students in reaching their full potential. This necessitates a cradle-through-career approach to ensure California’s education and workforce systems are focused on racial and social justice and are better coordinated — from cradle through career — to create a seamless path for students across the whole developmental spectrum.
OUR POLICY TEAM
Director, Digital Equity
EDUCATION MEANS BUSINESS WEBINARS
UNITE-LA’s Education Means Business webinar series provides diverse stakeholders in the region, including the business community, with the opportunity to connect with and hear from content experts, elected officials and community leaders on the latest policy topics impacting education and workforce development areas. Keep up to date through this bi-monthly webinar series.
View Policy Clips and Previous Webinars →
