At Innovate, we believe advocacy is part of our responsibility to students and families. In February 2026, we joined coalition letters and public statements to protect progress in literacy, equity, and educator diversity, and to ensure that policy decisions translate into real results for kids.
Below is a recap of three recent efforts we’ve signed onto:
Protect Early Literacy Through Investments in the 2026–27 State Budget
A coalition led by EdVoice and the California Literacy Coalition is urging the Legislature to preserve and expand the early literacy and educator workforce investments in the Governor’s January Budget. 2026–27 State Budget. The coalition also provides a recommendation to the Legislature on how to target the literacy investments to equip all children to read at or near grade level by the end of elementary school, including mandating universal screening for reading difficulties for K-2 students and improving teacher preparation standards.
The letter was submitted to state budget leaders, including members of the Senate and Assembly Budget Committees, and Governor Gavin Newsom.
Literacy is foundational. If students are not reading proficiently by third grade, their long-term academic trajectory is at risk. California made historic progress by screening approximately 1.2 million K-2 students for reading difficulties in 2025-26. Early screening, especially at the beginning of the school year, allows schools to intervene quickly and effectively. Delaying screening undermines research-based practice and slows down support for students who need it most.
Innovate signed onto this letter because:
- Early identification of reading challenges drives better outcomes
- Professional development ensures screening data leads to meaningful instruction
- Evidence-based literacy policy must remain a priority
Strengthen Black Educator Leadership in LAUSD
We joined the Charting the Course to Equity Coalition (CCEC) to sign a letter to the Los Angeles Unified School District Board and Superintendent marking the four-year anniversary of the Black Student Excellence through Educator Diversity Resolution. The letter celebrates measurable progress in educator diversity and Black student outcomes while also calling for sustained transparency and investment in recruiting, retaining, and supporting Black educators.
Since adoption of the resolution, LAUSD has seen growth in hiring from underrepresented groups and decreases in chronic absenteeism among Black students. Students are achieving gains in English and math, and there are reduced vacancies at high-need schools. These are meaningful signs of progress.
At the same time, challenges remain:
- 42.4% of Black students remain chronically absent
- Black students underperform district averages on AP exams
- The percentage of Black teachers has declined over the past decade
Research consistently shows that educator diversity positively impacts student outcomes — especially for Black students. Representation matters for academic achievement, belonging, and long-term opportunity.
The coalition is calling for a bi-annual public reporting on recruitment and retention data, and transparent tracking of hires, retention, credentialing, movers, and leavers. The letter also outlines the need for expanded investment in recruitment and support pipelines and regular public briefings for community stakeholders.
Educational equity requires both strong instruction and a diverse, supported educator workforce. We believe students benefit when their teachers reflect and understand their communities, and that progress must be measured and publicly reported
Preserve the Golden State Teacher Grant (GSTG) Program
Innovate joined 48 California organizations, representing students, families, educators, and advocates, to urge state leaders to continue funding the GSTG Program with a $100 million investment in the 2026-27 budget.
While the Governor proposed a $14.4 million extension, we believe that more funding is needed to address California’s teacher shortage, especially in high-needs schools where many students lack fully credentialed teachers. Teachers are the single most important school-based factor for student success, yet many California students are taught by unqualified educators:
- In 2023-24, 12.5% of teachers statewide (about 1 in 7) were substitutes, interns, or teaching outside their credential area, affecting roughly 750,000 students
- High-needs schools are hit hardest by teacher shortages, facing chronic staffing gaps, instability, and inequitable access to fully credentialed teachers
- In 2023-24, only 67% of teachers were fully credentialed in schools where at least 1 in 5 students are Black, compared to 79% in majority-White schools and 82.5% statewide
The GSTG Program provides financial incentives for newly credentialed educators to teach in high-needs schools. Since its launch, it has helped over 22,000 teachers serve students who might otherwise face staffing gaps, with early data showing that 91% of participants plan to remain in priority schools beyond their service commitment.
Investing in the GSTG Program is seen as critical for attracting and retaining qualified teachers and ensuring equitable access to high-quality education for all California students.