The Case for an Independent Black School District in Los Angeles
Breaking Free from LAUSD: Why Dr. Michael Batie’s Vision for an Independent Black School District Is the Solution to Decades of Educational Failure
By: Omari Bakari
For decades, the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) has failed to provide Black students with a quality education. Despite billions of dollars spent on reform efforts, Black student achievement in math and reading remains alarmingly low. Dr. Michael Batie, an esteemed researcher and educator, has spent years analyzing LAUSD’s failures, and his findings reveal a troubling pattern: the district continues to allocate excessive funds toward initiatives that do little to improve outcomes for Black students. His research underscores why he is seen as a threat to the status quo. However, instead of continuing to push for incremental change within a broken system, Dr. Batie is advocating for a bold, transformative solution—an independent school district specifically designed to educate Black students in Los Angeles.
Dr. Batie’s vision isn’t theoretical; it is grounded in his proven success. As the founder of one of the most accomplished charter schools in the region, he has already demonstrated what is possible when Black students are given access to a rigorous, culturally relevant, and well-structured educational experience. His charter school defied the low expectations that LAUSD has historically placed on Black students, producing graduates who excel academically and go on to succeed in higher education and beyond. His ability to cultivate high achievement among Black students in an independent setting stands as undeniable proof that the traditional LAUSD model is not only ineffective but also unnecessary for Black educational success.
The failures of LAUSD are not accidental; they are systemic. Despite decades of new programs, policy changes, and financial investments, the district has never meaningfully addressed the specific needs of Black students. Instead, it continues to push ineffective curricula, overcrowded classrooms, and an institutional culture that often criminalizes rather than nurtures Black youth. The data consistently show that Black students in LAUSD lag behind in math and reading proficiency at rates that should be considered an emergency. And yet, each year, the district spends millions on so-called solutions that do little more than maintain the status quo.
Dr. Batie’s research has exposed how LAUSD’s spending patterns prioritize bureaucracy over student success. The district diverts funding into administrative costs, ineffective professional development, and external consultants who offer little in the way of real, measurable impact. Meanwhile, the students who need the most support continue to be underserved. It’s no surprise that Dr. Batie’s findings make him a threat—he is shedding light on the financial mismanagement and systemic neglect that many in power would prefer to keep hidden.
The call for an independent Black school district is not just about escaping LAUSD’s failures; it is about creating an education system built specifically for Black student success. Such a district would prioritize smaller class sizes, culturally relevant curriculum, and highly trained educators who understand the unique challenges and strengths of Black students. It would also ensure that funding goes directly to student learning, rather than disappearing into administrative black holes. Most importantly, an independent Black school district would be accountable to the families it serves—not to a bureaucratic machine that has long shown it has no real interest in Black academic excellence.
Critics may argue that a separate school district for Black students is unnecessary or impractical. But history tells a different story. Across the country, Black-led educational institutions have consistently produced better results for Black students than traditional public school systems. The difference is clear: when Black educators and leaders are given the autonomy to design learning environments tailored to their students, those students thrive.
Dr. Michael Batie’s work has laid the foundation for what could be the most significant educational transformation in Los Angeles history. If LAUSD cannot or will not educate Black students effectively, then Black communities must take education into their own hands. The time for incremental change has passed. It is time to build an independent Black school district—one that finally puts Black students first.
