The Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) launched GENIUS (Genuine Empathy & Nurturing Intellect of Underserved Students) Initiative at a three day training for education leaders. At the event, the California Department of Education (CDE), along with the three equity grant leads – LACOE, Kings County Office of Education (KCOE), and Sonoma County Office of Education (SCOE) – announced the launch of this groundbreaking statewide effort. 

Backed by a five-year grant, the GENIUS Initiative is dedicated to fostering the success of Black/African American and other historically marginalized student groups.

Throughout the convening, participants explored LACOE’s award winning framework Supporting the African American Learner: A Guide for Transforming Beliefs, Systems, and Practices for Black Students (STAAL). Attendees gained access to research-based strategies, resources, and promising practices designed to transform educational outcomes and close persistent opportunity gaps.

“The GENIUS Initiative represents a bold and necessary move towards educational equity. The Los Angeles County Office of Education’s involvement underscores our dedication to addressing systemic disparities and empowering L.A. County and California students to reach their full potential. We are excited to embark on this journey with the CDE and the Equity Lead grantees,” said Dr. Debra Duardo, the Los Angeles County Superintendent of Schools.

The event’s notable keynote speaker was award-winning author, scholar, and national leader in educational justice Dr. Bettina L. Love. Her empowering message of anti-racist education fueled by visionary thinking and radical love for Black and marginalized students set the tone for the inspiring three-day conference surrounding the GENIUS Initiative.

In attendance were: Dwight Bonds, Executive Director, California Association of African American Superintendents and Administrators; local National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Presidents Latricia Mitchell of the Los Angeles branch and Mia McNulty Carson-Torrance branch; Dr. Tonikiaa Orange from UCLA - Center X; Marisol Pineda-Conde, the Deputy Director of The Teaching Well; Dr. Gina Zeitlow, Superintendent of ABC Unified; Pamela Brown, Assistant Superintendent of Centinela Valley Union High School District; Dr. Bernadette Lucas, Assistant Superintendent of Inglewood Unified; Claudia Sosa-Valderama, Assistant Superintendent of School Support Services for Long Beach Unified School District.

“SCOE, and the other Equity Leads grantees, are immensely proud to be part of the GENIUS Initiative. This transformative effort is a testament to our unwavering commitment to uplifting Black, African American, and marginalized students. Together, we are paving the way for a brighter, more equitable future for all California students,” said Dr. Amie Carter, the Sonoma County Superintendent of Schools.

About the GENIUS Initiative

The GENIUS Initiative, also known as the Equity Lead Grant, was established in 2023 under Senate Bill 114 as a part of the California Statewide System of Support. The Equity Multiplier funding has allocated approximately $300 million across 57 of California’s 58 counties to 1,008 schools to support qualifying schools in closing opportunity gaps for our most marginalized students. This funding aims to ensure that every student receives the necessary support and resources for success. As part of California's education funding, the LCFF Equity Multiplier provides additional resources to school sites with high non-stability rates and a significant percentage of socioeconomically disadvantaged pupils, directing funds to schools with the greatest needs.

A critical component of the GENIUS Initiative is its research partnership with UCLA’s Center for the Transformation of Schools. This collaboration will provide continuous evaluation and impact measurement, ensuring that the initiative’s goals are met and that best practices are refined over time.

Equity in Action: GENIUS Initiative’s Multi-Tiered Approach

Through the GENIUS Initiative, the Equity Lead grantees will provide:

• Tier 1: Free or low-cost professional learning on research-based strategies for improving outcomes for Black/African American and other marginalized student populations.

• Tier 2: A three-year Community of Practice, led by expert practitioners and guided by the Supporting the African American Learner research principles.

• Tier 3: Coaching and implementation support to drive systemic change at the school level.

With the initiative now live, school and district leaders are encouraged to engage with the Equity Lead grantees and take advantage of the professional learning and resources available. To learn more about the GENIUS Initiative, please visit www.lacoe.edu.

About Los Angeles County Office of Education

The Los Angeles County Office of Education, based in Downey, is the nation’s largest regional education agency, providing a range of services and programs to support the education and well-being of nearly two million preschool and school-age children through an equity lens. LACOE serves the nation’s largest regional education area and intends to create a path forward for the county’s 80 K-12 districts and more than 350 charter schools that serve 1.4 million students, employ nearly 155,000 staff and manage budgets that collectively total some $18 billion.

About Kings County Office of Education

The Kings County Office of Education (KCOE) serves approximately 28,000 students across 13 school districts in Kings County, California. KCOE has a dedicated team of approximately 389 professionals who provide a wide range of programs and services to support students and staff. These include alternative education, special education, early childhood education, career education, curriculum services and professional learning opportunities. The organization manages an annual budget of approximately $66.6 million, reflecting its commitment to enhancing educational outcomes within the region.

About Sonoma County Office of Education

The Sonoma County Office of Education (SCOE) is dedicated to fostering student success through service to students, schools, and the community. As a partner to the county’s 40 school districts, SCOE provides essential support and oversight, helping them serve approximately 64,500 students. SCOE offers districts key programs and services, including fiscal oversight, legal compliance support, cost-effective operational assistance and initiatives to enhance student achievement. SCOE also operates schools for special education and alternative education students, provides college and career readiness services and offers professional development for educators.