(a) (1) By March 1, 2024, the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence and the department shall select, subject to approval by the executive director of the state board and as a result of a competitive process, local educational agencies, or a consortium of local educational agencies, to serve as Equity Leads within the system of support to conduct the activities required pursuant to this section.

(2) The competitive process to select the Equity Leads shall ensure that no fewer than two Equity Leads and no more than four Equity Leads are selected in a manner that provides for statewide coverage. The Equity Leads shall be selected for a term not to exceed five years.

(3) Notwithstanding the deadline established pursuant to paragraph (1), if the competitive selection process administered pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2) yields fewer than six applicants, the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence and the department shall reestablish a new competitive process, subject to all other requirements of this subdivision, to solicit a larger pool of applicants.

(b) The Equity Leads selected pursuant to subdivision (a) shall demonstrate a willingness and capacity to do all of the following:

(1) Work collaboratively with the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence, the department, and other lead agencies in the system of support to advance the purpose of the statewide system of support specified in subdivision (b) of Section 52059.5.

(2) Partner with other subject matter experts across the state, including, but not limited to, the Community Engagement Initiative, 21st Century California School Leadership Academy, California Community Schools Partnership Program Regional Technical Assistance Center, Local Literacy Lead Agencies, and Statewide System of Support for Expanded Learning.

(3) Develop and disseminate resources on effective practices for analyzing programs, identifying barriers and opportunities, and implementing actions and services to meet the identified needs of all pupils, including by addressing racial disparities.

(4) Understand the local control and accountability plan and how to use the local control and accountability plan for strategic planning, including, but not limited to, by:

(A) Identifying and analyzing available and relevant data to understand pupil needs and helping practitioners, educators, and interestholders understand the data.

(B) Assisting practitioners in implementing and monitoring changes to practice to meet the needs of all pupils, including by addressing racial disparities in opportunities and outcomes and aligning to the technical assistance provided pursuant to Sections 47607.3, 52071, 52071.5, 52072, and 52072.5.

(C) Including diverse and underrepresented pupils, families, and communities in decisionmaking processes in school settings.

(5) Understanding the history of racial inequities in California, including, but not limited to, past policies related to segregation, immigration, education, and public safety and incarceration, and how it currently impacts pupils in California.

(c) The Equity Leads shall have all of the following responsibilities:

(1) Partnering with the local educational agencies, prioritizing those with schools receiving Local Control Funding Formula Equity Multiplier funding pursuant to Section 42238.024, to analyze programs, identify barriers and opportunities, and implement actions and services to meet the identified needs of all pupils, including by addressing racial disparities. This shall include enhancing and expanding existing work in these areas.

(2) Supporting the work of local educational agencies, prioritizing those with schools receiving Local Control Funding Formula Equity Multiplier funding pursuant to Section 42238.024, in developing and implementing programs and supports that address racial disparities in opportunities and academic outcomes.

(3) Identifying existing resources, including support for educator preparation; recruitment, retention, and professional development activities; instructional coaching; and other efforts currently available to address disparities, including racial disparities, in pupil outcomes, and sharing these resources with local educational agencies, prioritizing those receiving Local Control Funding Formula Equity Multiplier funding pursuant to Section 42238.024.

(4) Monitoring the impact of the implementation of local control and accountability plan goals pursuant to paragraph (7) of subdivision (e) of Section 52064, and reporting on the best practices developed and outcomes.

(d) Commencing with the 2023-24 fiscal year, and for each fiscal year thereafter, the sum of two million dollars ($2,000,000) is hereby appropriated to the department from the General Fund to be awarded to local educational agencies serving as Equity Leads pursuant to this section.

(e) For purposes of making the computations required by § 8 of Article XVI of the California Constitution, the appropriations made by subdivision (d) shall be deemed to be “General Fund revenues appropriated for school districts,” as defined in subdivision (c) of Section 41202, for the fiscal year for which the appropriation is made, and included within the “total allocations to school districts and community college districts from General Fund proceeds of taxes appropriated pursuant to XIII B,” as defined in subdivision (e) of Section 41202, for the fiscal year for which the appropriation is made.

(Added by Stats. 2023, Ch. 48, Sec. 79. (SB 114) Effective July 10, 2023.)