In February, San Francisco voters expelled three school board members in a landslide election where supporters wanted to reshape the city’s education policy and politics.
Just four months later, the impact of the vote is significant.
The recall effort was partially driven by disagreements over how to handle admissions at Lowell High School, an elite public school that has accepted students for decades, primarily based on high test scores and grades. I did. (A long list of prominent graduates from Lowell includes Judge Stephen G. Breyer and former Governor Pat Brown.)
In October 2020, the San Francisco Board of Education set up a lottery-based admission system in hopes of diversifying students’ bodies and increasing access as social justice changes gained momentum in California. Decided. The Board made that policy permanent in early 2021.
However, this move has offended parents in many cities, especially Asian Americans. They felt that they were unreasonably restricting children from enrolling in one of the best schools in the United States.
Lowell’s students are predominantly Asian, with district data showing approximately 48% of all schools in the San Francisco Unified School District, compared to 35%. For many immigrant families, schools were considered “an important ancient path to the middle class.” “Social mobility,” Lee told me.
After the family endured the closure of the country’s longest pandemic school by the spring of 2021, the change in admission policy felt like a particularly cruel blow. Apart from that, the family was also concerned about anti-Asian hate crimes. The school board recall has been a vibrant force for Asian-American voters, especially Chinese-Americans. Chinese-Americans are the largest group of people, accounting for 23% of the city’s population.
“It’s been a long time since Chinese voters have bent their political strength and achieved immediate results, so the Chinese community is celebrating today,” Lee told me. “This is an awakening call for San Francisco’s political establishment, which is a new political force.”
But Wednesday’s vote was a disappointing result for those who supported the lottery approach.
They are afraid that the system will leave black and Latin students with low test scores behind. They also cite racism and harassment of Lowell’s black and brown students. With the introduction of the lottery system, the number of 9th graders in Asia and whites has decreased by about a quarter, and the number of 9th graders of blacks and Latins has increased by more than 40%.
According to the San Francisco Chronicle, “The lottery system means that Lowell is diverse,” said Virginia Marshall, president of the San Francisco Black Educators Alliance and representative of the NAACP. “It’s not just for one ethnic group, it’s for all the students who choose to make Lowell their home.”
For many:
Where we are traveling
Today’s tip is from Christine O’Hagan, who lives in Menthone. Christine recommends her favorite beaches in Southern California:
“Laguna Beach has it all! Beautiful beaches and sunsets, hotels, restaurants, art galleries, boutiques. Nice walking paths around and above the beach. In July and August, Laguna Art Festival, Sodust Art Festival. , The Masters Pageant will be held and free parking lots and vehicles will be provided to carry people around Laguna Beach. “
What is your favorite place in California? Email your suggestions to CAtoday@nytimes.com. More will be shared in future editions of the newsletter.
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Summer came. What is your favorite part of this season in California?
Please email us at CAtoday@nytimes.com With your story, memories, or nominations.
And some good news before you go
The Ojai Lavender Festival, which celebrates purple flowers, will return this weekend after a two-year pandemic break.
At Ojai’s Libby Park on Saturday, you can drink lavender-soaked lemonade and buy lavender-scented soap. Or, according to the Conejo Valley Guide, relax and enjoy a picnic while listening to live music.