Collectively, the participating superintendents lead four California school districts (Compton, Lynwood, Pittsburg, and Fresno) and three California County Offices of Education (Los Angeles, Napa, and San Diego). They participated in a professional learning network in which they, together with leaders from several Local Educational Agencies, engaged in a deep analysis and examination of the problem of why African American students are disproportionately targeted for discipline and are suffering low academic outcomes in California schools. The network was charged to research perceptions, pedagogies, and practices that have successfully impacted African American students’ educational experiences.

Their convening and the resulting whitepaper were made possible by the California Association of African-American Superintendents and Administrators (CAAASA) and funded by a grant awarded by California Collaborative for Educational Excellence (CCEE).