Girls Leading Change (San Francisco) | 2017
Research overview:
Drawing from quantitative data from school district data at San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) and qualitative data from focus groups with girls of color at SFUSD, this study examines how girls of color at SFUSD experience their schools and what they want to see to help make school safer for them.
Key findings:
28% of Black or African American girls and 21% of Latina girls did not graduate from high school, as compared to 6% of Asian/Pacific Islander girls and 11% of White girls who did not graduate in 2016.
Findings from the Culture-Climate Survey indicate that 58% of Latina and Asian or Pacific Islander girls and 50% of Black or African American girls did not feel a sense of belonging at school.
Girls of color experience high rates of racism and sexism on their school campuses
40% of Black or African American girls and 35% of Asian and Latina girls did not rate safety on campus favorably.
Girls of color do not feel supported academically at SFUSD
Girls of color have strong role models at home and in their communities
Girls of color remain confident in themselves and in their futures
Recommendations:
Girls of color wanted to learn more about how to get engaged in advocacy and politics.
Free feminine hygiene products on school campuses
Girls suggested improving and repairing the school facilities.
Participants expressed the desire for additional classes, especially AP classes and classes that would help them navigate today’s world.
Participants desired more clubs and activities on campus such as more field trips, opportunities to have more experiences outside of the school as part of their learning, college preparedness activities in middle school, etc.
Girls of color expressed a desire for more staff and teachers who looked like them and would make them feel represented at the school.
Girls of color want additional teacher trainings, expanded classes, improved facilities and safety measures, as well as policies and activities that would help build community, belonging for all students in SFUSD, and build a sense of safety at their schools.
