The Diverse Education Leaders Pipeline Initiative (DELPI), sponsored by California Assemblymember Mia Bonta and Senator Steven Bradford, is a 2023-24 proposal to invest in the credentialing, placement, and retention of 300 diverse and culturally responsive TK-12 aspiring school administrators. If approved, this initiative will help close persistent student equity gaps and increase diversity within the TK-12 school administrator pipeline.
The state-mandated objectives of the DELPI grant program are to:
With strong early results and high demand, DELPI now requires sustained investment to continue building a diverse, culturally responsive pipeline of school administrators across California. DELPI was created to address disparities in diverse school leader representation that contribute to inequitable student outcomes and it’s already showing impact. Through a competitive process led by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, 10 local education agencies were selected to lead this work, partnering with 8 institutions of higher education and 4 nonprofit organizations to build strong, equity-centered administrator pathways. By 2027, DELPI will support 367 new, diverse and culturally responsive school leaders, all earning their Preliminary Administrative Services Credential at no cost, removing one of the biggest barriers to leadership. This investment is reaching communities with the greatest need across the state, from Northern to Southern and Central California, strengthening not only schools but also broader outcomes like workforce development, economic mobility, and community well-being.
Research shows that all students have better academic and behavioral outcomes when they attend schools led by diverse and culturally responsive TK-12 administrators who reflect the rich diversity of the school communities they serve. Yet in California, diverse TK-12 administrators are grossly underrepresented. Nearly 79% of TK–12 students are students of color, while only about 30% of school leaders share that background.
Mercedes McCumber, a Sacramento principal and first-generation college graduate, credits the program with transforming her leadership:
“It changed my life… I became a stronger leader because I had the support, community, and space to grow.”
Today, her school is seeing higher enrollment, strong teacher retention, and a culture where students feel seen and supported.
LaShante Scott, a principal in Oakland Unified School District, has spent nearly two decades in education working to ensure equity is more than just a stated value, it’s a daily practice.
“DELPI has been a powerful space for both professional sharpening and personal restoration. It’s a rare environment where high-level strategy meets authentic community, allowing us to be vulnerable about our challenges while being rigorous about our solutions.”
Today, LaShante leads with greater transparency, courage, and purpose, demonstrating how investing in diverse leaders strengthens schools, builds trust, and creates more equitable outcomes for all students.
DELPI was designed to address the disparities in diverse school administrator representation that lead to inequitable student outcomes, and it’s working. DELPI’s early program results include:
DELPI was funded as a one-time $10 million investment in 2023. Without continued funding, California risks losing momentum in building its school leadership pipeline. Sustained investment is critical to:
Replace retiring school leaders
Retain diverse educators in the profession
Maintain strong leadership pipelines in high-need communities
Protect the state’s broader investments in education
If we want better outcomes for our students and the educators who serve them, we must prioritize the development of diverse and culturally responsive school leaders. More importantly, our investment in school leaders cannot remain status quo if we want different results.
Please help us elevate this initiative by signing our petition and joining our campaign!
For ways to support this campaign, please consider sharing the following social media posts or reach out directly to KeAnne Williams: kwilliams@diversityinleadership.org
We believe that there is a promising path towards equity and student success for all students, and it starts with diverse school leadership.
Learn moreFor updates about the Diverse Education Leaders Pipeline Initiative, follow the Diversity in Leadership Institute on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.
