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APRIL 2025

From the directors

Dear friends and colleagues,

As we navigate a landscape marked by uncertainty in education—dramatic shifts at the federal level as well as local issues affecting our communities—it can be hard to stay optimistic without veering into toxic positivity. We encourage you to remember the power of critical hope. This hope is not about ignoring difficulties, but about recognizing them, leaning into dissonance, and choosing to act with intention and resilience. Let’s stay connected, stay critically hopeful, and keep pushing forward, knowing that our collective efforts are creating lasting change.

Warmly,

Dr. Rebecca Cheung Director, 21CSLA State Center
Dr. Jabari Mahiri Chair, 21CSLA Leadership Board
Dr. Kim Wallace Associate Director, 21CSLA State Center  
News and Events

New podcast episode: Sean Darling-Hammond on discipline disparities

In this episode of the Equity Leadership Now! podcast, Sean Darling-Hammond (assistant professor, UC Berkeley Public Health) sits down with host Jabari Mahiri and co-host Becca Minkoff to discuss research revealing that Black students continue to face disproportionately high rates of punishment in school, and how to address this disparity through empathy and relationship-building. Listen now.
 
Professional Learning Opportunities

Equity-centered UTK leadership courses and certificate for new and future leaders

The 21CSLA UTK Leadership Certificate offers free, online, synchronous courses through UC Berkeley Extension. Candidates should be currently enrolled in a Preliminary or Clear ASC program, or hold a Certificate of Eligibility. Receive 4 units of credit along with a certificate upon completion of the two-course series. Apply now to join our spring courses. To learn more, visit our website and sign up for our next info session on Wednesday, April 9.
 

Equity-centered UTK training for site, teacher, and central office leaders

Join us for our upcoming UTK leadership professional learning opportunities throughout the state and online. Learn more about the 21CSLA UTK professional learning modules.
Resources

Racial equity legal guidance

UC Berkeley's Othering and Belonging Institute has released guidance designed to help equity-centered advocates and institutional leaders understand what considerations of race are permissible and what is generally prohibited, and provides many examples to illustrate these ideas. Read the Racial Equity Legal Guidance FAQ.
 
People

Welcome Anna Wikle

Anna Wikle is excited to apply her background in public health to work with the 21CSLA State Center as a Research Data Analyst. As a recent graduate of UC Berkeley’s Masters in Public Health Epidemiology/Biostatistics program, Anna has always worked to promote health equity and looks forward to supporting 21CSLA’s initiatives.
 
Connect 

More on 21CSLA and leading for equity 

The 21st Century California School Leadership Academy provides professional learning opportunities and support to help California’s educational leaders create equitable learning environments to improve instruction and achievement outcomes for underserved students. Headquartered at the UC Berkeley School of Education, 21CSLA is led in partnership with the UCLA School of Education and Information Studies, California Subject Matter Project, and seven Regional Academies throughout the state.

Find us at 21cslacenter.berkeley.edu. Connect with us on Instagram @21CSLA and on LinkedIn. Not a subscriber to 21CSLA News? Join us.
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21CSLA State Center · 2121 Berkeley Way · Berkeley School of Education · Berkeley, CA 94720-1670 · USA