The resignation was first reported by the Los Angeles Times. Carvalho has denied wrongdoing and did not respond to a request for comment.

In a written statement, the district said Acting Superintendent Andrés Chait will continue leading L.A. Unified while the Board of Education searches for Carvalho’s replacement.

“The Board remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring stability, continuity, and continued progress through strong leadership,” the district said. “Our focus remains unchanged: providing every student with a high-quality education, supporting our dedicated workforce, and maintaining the trust of the communities we serve.”

Carvalho, who previously led Miami-Dade County Public Schools, arrived in Los Angeles in February 2022 with a national reputation as one of the country’s most prominent education leaders. He took over L.A. Unified only months after campuses had reopened for in-person instruction following COVID-19 closures.

During his tenure, the district posted academic gains that exceeded statewide recovery trends. English language arts scores increased by more than 5 percentage points, while math scores rose by nearly 8 points. Graduation rates also improved.

Carvalho also focused heavily on attendance and enrollment, two persistent challenges for Los Angeles and school districts across Southern California after the pandemic. He personally visited students’ homes to encourage them to return to class and backed public outreach campaigns, including billboards and bus advertisements, to promote transitional kindergarten enrollment.

In recent years, Carvalho became a visible defender of immigrant students and families as the Trump administration intensified immigration enforcement. Carvalho, who has spoken publicly about his own experience as a formerly undocumented immigrant, repeatedly emphasized that all children have the right to attend school regardless of immigration status.

Under his leadership, L.A. Unified created a 24-hour hotline, held legal rights workshops, offered free legal assistance through local nonprofits and launched a virtual academy for students whose families feared leaving home because of deportation risks.

Families in Schools, a Los Angeles-based parent advocacy organization, praised Carvalho earlier this month when it presented him with a “Courage in Leadership” award.

“At a time when immigrant students and families experienced fear and uncertainty, Superintendent Carvalho used his voice and position to affirm that all children deserve safe, welcoming schools,” the organization said. “His steadfast support for immigrant communities reflected the values that define Los Angeles and the very best of public education leadership.”

The FBI searched Carvalho’s home and office in February, shortly after the district renewed his contract. He had been on leave since then. The federal investigation appears connected to the district’s botched chatbot initiative, an artificial intelligence project that Carvalho had promoted before the contract collapsed.

Original source: CalMatters

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