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Board unanimously adopts Fa Sa Mo initiative to address Samoan and Pacific Islander disparities
Summary
The board approved a comprehensive Fa Sa Mo initiative to disaggregate Pacific Islander data and establish a pre-K–14 Samoan pathway, with community partners and milestones for implementation and reporting. Supporters and student delegates praised the measure as a long-sought equity action.
The San Francisco Board of Education unanimously approved a resolution establishing the Fa Sa Mo initiative, a multi-year, culturally grounded strategy focused on Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) students, with particular emphasis on Samoan students.
The initiative sets out a pre-K–14 pathway that includes six strands: early education, Samoan-specific pedagogical practices and curriculum development, postsecondary readiness and workforce development, parent and guardian engagement, health and wellness, and arts/CTE. The plan calls for targeted data disaggregation of Pacific Islander subgroups, Samoan-language materials, a Samoan family center in the Bayview, and annual public reporting on specified metrics.
"The board of education requires that the superintendent work with staff to establish and expand additional supports for NHPI students," the resolution states, adding that the Fa Sa Mo team will develop a pathway plan that aims to increase academic outcomes and attendance and to build educator pipelines.
Why it matters: Pacific Islander students have been masked by aggregated data that hides disparities. The resolution directs the district to disaggregate PI data, set measurable goals (for example, a target to improve academic outcomes by set points over coming years), and report progress to the board.
Community role: Dozens of parents, community leaders and students spoke in support. Gaynor Antia Tonga said the initiative is "historical for the NHPI community," and student delegates urged the board to keep student leadership central in implementation. "I totally support this resolution," one student delegate said.
Board action: The resolution passed unanimously. Commissioners praised the level of community engagement and the resolution—s operational milestones and directed staff to return with implementation updates and biannual reports.
What—s next: Staff will assemble the Fa Sa Mo initiative team, begin pathway planning this fall, and report back to the board on specified dates in October, January, May and August with metrics and recommendations. The plan includes exploring funding via grants, donations, and city funding.
Context and caution: Commissioners and community members emphasized that the resolution requires continued accountability and that staffing, funding and partnership details will determine whether the initiative attains its goals.
