SDCOE Superintendent's Message

Equity holds the promise of making our educational systems work for every student. That’s why the San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE) created the Equity Blueprint for Action – to provide responsive and evolving equity-centered tools and resources to support educators and our students.

This is a simple, but impactful document that aligns equity work to the California Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) priorities and California School Dashboard. It focuses on going beyond the minimum requirement and investing in our educators for the future of our students.

All students are deserving of a world-class education with high expectations from caring adults who love and support them. But the fact is, our school systems were not designed to support all students, particularly those experiencing poverty or students whose first language is not English, and we see too many kids falling through the cracks.

Today, half of all students in San Diego County are living in conditions where the annual household income ranges between $39,000-$55,000 per year, on average, for a family of four. We often hear about the disparities in income, but this is real-time data of the number of students who currently qualify for free and reduced lunch.  We have set the ambitious goal of reducing this number from 51% in 2022-23 to 35% by the end of the 2029-30 school year.  

The income divide reaches across racial, ethnic, and gender boundaries. Addressing income inequality will not only improve the lives and futures of our students, but will also better our entire region. To  help our students see a future for themselves, they must also  see themselves in their books and learning materials. 

We consistently hear from students that they want to see more diverse perspectives and examples of positive contributions — from their cultures and others — in their classrooms and curriculum. Students want to be seen and understood as they seek to see and understand others.

To honor their voice, it was important for us to engage and listen to our community partners. For the Equity Blueprint for Action, SDCOE received input from our advisory groups: the Equity Network with voices from partners and community members, including American Indian educators, scholars, and advocates; the African American Advisory Group facilitated in conjunction with the Association of African American Educators; and the Latinx Advisory Group led together with San Diego State University faculty.

Reimagining schools as community hubs is a collective effort, and this is our opportunity to act on research-based best practices and strategies to better support all students. Together we can ensure high expectations for every student while showing respect and honor for the unique cultures and perspectives of our young people. Educational equity is a huge undertaking, but it is within our power to make the world a better place for our youth today and in the future.

In service of our students,

Dr. Paul Gothold
San Diego County Superintendent of Schools