San Jose Unified school closure plan echoes Oakland proposal that drew state civil rights warning

"Of the schools currently listed for closure, 10 enroll a higher share of Hispanic or Latino students than the districtwide average of 55%. Six exceed the district's 2% Black enrollment average, and 11 enroll more English learners than the district average of 24%. By contrast, while 10 schools districtwide enroll a higher-than-average share of white students, only three of those schools are on the potential closure list."

"Education advocates say that's because the district's methodology relies heavily on enrollment size and facility conditions - criteria they argue can disadvantage schools in historically underinvested communities."

"It feels like we're being pushed out of our area. We feel a bit hopeless and like this is discrimination towards our school."

San Jose Unified School District's proposed closure of up to nine elementary schools mirrors a 2022 Oakland plan that state officials determined would harm Black and low-income students. Analysis reveals that schools targeted for closure enroll higher percentages of Hispanic/Latino students, Black students, and English learners compared to district averages, while schools with above-average white enrollment largely escape closure. The closures concentrate in downtown and east San Jose neighborhoods. Education advocates attribute this disparity to the district's methodology, which prioritizes enrollment size and facility conditions—criteria that disadvantage schools in historically underinvested communities. San Jose Unified has experienced nearly 20% student enrollment decline since 2017, currently serving approximately 25,000 students. The school board is scheduled to vote on the plan by March 12.

Read at The Mercury News