Superintendent Baker Advocates for Proposition 28

Long Beach Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Jill A. Baker recently traveled to Sacramento to share how LBUSD is bringing the promise of Proposition 28 to life, speaking before the California State Assembly’s Joint Education and Arts, Entertainment, Sports & Tourism Committee. Her testimony highlighted the District’s intentional approach to expanding access to arts education while advancing excellence and equity for all students.

Dr. Baker described how LBUSD moved swiftly to implement Prop. 28, using the funding to strengthen existing programs and build a comprehensive, districtwide approach to visual and performing arts. The District has added credentialed arts educators, expanded course access, and partnered with local arts organizations to ensure students experience culturally responsive instruction that reflects the diversity of Long Beach’s community.

She emphasized that the work goes beyond adding classes; it is about creating meaningful opportunities for expression, representation, and connection. Through expanded arts programming in music, dance, theater, and visual arts, LBUSD is reimagining post-pandemic learning and ensuring students see their identities, languages, and cultures reflected in their education, preparing them to thrive both creatively and academically.

You can watch Dr. Baker’s entire testimony here, beginning at 1:31:26.