On June 10, 2019, LA School Report published a Q&A with Partnership Chief External Officer Ryan Smith, who was recently appointed co-chair of California’s “Closing the Achievement Gap” initiative by State Superintendent Tony Thurmond. The initiative will address ways to close achievement gaps and improve educational outcomes for students in California’s high- and highest-need public schools. The Q&A covers Ryan’s thoughts about what it will take to close the achievement gap for students of color in California. Read the Q&A here, and learn who else will be advocating and joining as co-chairs of this statewide initiative.