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Superintendent pledges DACA support and highlights Salesforce partnership, student STEM successes
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Matthews told the board the district will "continue to support and protect all students regardless of immigration status," outlined services to help DACA applicants, and described a major Salesforce-funded STEM initiative that the district says contributed to improved math outcomes and expanded AP computer science participation.
Superintendent Dr. Matthews opened his report by addressing federal moves on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, saying San Francisco Unified School District "will continue to support and protect all students regardless of immigration status" and will uphold the district's sanctuary policy.
Matthews said the district has, since 2012, assisted students eligible for DACA by providing enrollment histories and school transcripts at no cost to support applications and partners with the San Francisco Immigrant Legal Education Network to offer DACA workshops and legal resources. He said district leadership coordinates with the mayor's office on immigrant-support strategies.
Matthews also described the fifth year of the mayor's leadership initiative supported by Salesforce and other private partners, calling it the largest private investment in the district to date. He credited the funding with enabling wireless installation, class-size reductions, in-class coaching, and development of a preK-12 computer-science curriculum. Matthews said the district has seen improvements in math over three years, citing a reduction in algebra repeaters from 43% to 5% and a tripling of AP computer-science enrollment.
The superintendent highlighted student work supported by the Salesforce grant, including a Visitation Valley coding class where students created robots and a solar-powered battery charger. He framed those examples as evidence of the district's goal to prepare students with 21st-century skills and to address gaps in technology participation by race and gender.
Matthews closed by listing upcoming community engagement events and inviting families to a Black Family Day resource fair.
Next steps: district staff said they will continue workshops, campus-based supports for students impacted by immigration policy, and community listening sessions announced during the meeting.
