By Larry Sand | February 4, 2021 | 4:58pm EST
Joe Biden speaks to supporters during a campaign stop at Berston Field House in Flint, Mich. (Photo credit: MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)
Joe Biden’s inaugural speech on Jan. 20 stressed “unity” or a variant of the term 11 times. This unity evidently doesn’t include the broad swath of Americans, including some traditional Democratic constituencies, who support school choice. The latest poll on the topic, conducted by the Democratic polling firm Beck Research, found that 65 percent of K-12 parents back school choice. Moreover, 74 percent of African-Americans and 71 percent of Latinos, groups that stand to gain the most from choice, are staunch supporters as well.
How united is our community? Do we have the ability to make a difference? Establishing a united community requires time, responsible individuals, intense effort and collaboration.
Aziz Purmul felt a duty to stand and build a united community when our nation stood divided. In 2016, Purmul established the “We Love Our Neighbors” project to bring communities together. He recognized that we cannot move forward as a community and reach our goals without creating the opportunity of reaching out to different groups, as well as being and feeling heard. Through “We Love Our Neighbors,” he has been able to connect churches, synagogues, mosques to promote understanding and mutual respect by learning about each other’s cultures, faiths and style of living.
Natomas Unified School District had 1,090 first grade students during 2018-2019 school year, according to the California Department of Education. Los Angeles Unified School District had the highest number of first grade students enrolled in California with 45,395.
According to numbers provided by the National Center for Education Services, California is expected to see a decrease of three percent in public elementary and secondary school enrollment from 2017-2029. The state expected to see the largest drop in enrollment is New Mexico with a projected 12 percent decrease, while Washington D.C. is projected to see a 14 percent increase over the same time period.
Natomas Unified School District had 1,364 kindergarten grade students during 2018-2019 school year, according to the California Department of Education. Los Angeles Unified School District had the highest number of kindergarten grade students enrolled in California with 59,185.
According to numbers provided by the National Center for Education Services, California is expected to see a decrease of three percent in public elementary and secondary school enrollment from 2017-2029. The state expected to see the largest drop in enrollment is New Mexico with a projected 12 percent decrease, while Washington D.C. is projected to see a 14 percent increase over the same time period.