PICO affiliates in California have a long history of engaging in both youth and education organizing. Currently, 16 of the 19 PICO affiliates in California are organizing in either or both of these areas. Recently, PICO leaders from throughout the state have begun exploring the connections between their efforts to improve educational opportunities for youth and their work to find innovative solutions (including jobs, mentoring, recreational activities) to address the rise in gang and youth violence in their communities. 

In December, Fight Crime: Invest in Kids California released a report examining the impact that high school dropout rates have on public safety. The report notes that, in California, high school dropouts are three and one-half times more likely than high school graduates to be arrested, and more than eight times as likely to be in jail or prison.   

Building on this increasing evidence for an integrated approach to curbing youth violence, youth and adult leaders from PICO affiliates throughout California will meet in Sacramento in February to highlight their concerns, priorities, and solutions to the challenges facing youth in the state. The two-day gathering will include meetings with legislators, as well as with key state officials responsible for youth and education policy.

In addition to sharing their work with state officials, leaders will use the February meetings to learn more about state policy and funding priorities and to identify new opportunities to further their local work. PICO leaders in California will also urge officials to develop and fully fund a comprehensive student data system as an important first step in the state's multi-year effort to create a comprehensive plan to improve California schools, including development of a new funding model that directs more dollars to the students and schools with the greatest need.

For more information, visit PICO California's website: www.picocalifornia.org

Related information:

"School or the Streets: California's Dropout Crisis"
Fight Crime: Invest in Kids California
Executive Summary
Full Report