Announcing California Community Colleges Participating in EdTrust-West Communities of Practice
Overview and Background
EdTrust-West is committed to dismantling the racial and economic barriers embedded in the California education system. Through our research and advocacy, EdTrust-West engages diverse communities dedicated to education equity and justice and increases the political and public will to build an education system where students of color and multilingual learners, especially those experiencing poverty, will thrive.
Since 2001, EdTrust-West has been partnering with school districts and county offices of education by providing tools and services to help educators transform policies, practices, and systems to create access to rigorous and relevant coursework while providing the learning environment and support students need to thrive. The primary engagement with districts is a Systemic Equity Review and Blueprint for Equity Planning Process. EdTrust-West is leveraging this experience to support a similar process at the community college level.
Empowering California's Community Colleges
EdTrust-West is thrilled to announce that we will be working with 12 California Community Colleges selected for participation in two Communities of Practice initiatives: Empowering Parenting Students Community of Practice and Equitable Course Placement and Completion Community of Practice. Colleges from across the state joined EdTrust-West’s Ed Equity Forum in Oakland to kick off their participation in these Communities of Practice. Representatives from these colleges will participate from September 2024 to June 2025, receiving in-kind technical assistance and engaging in peer learning.
Empowering Parenting Students Community of Practice
In partnership with California Competes: Higher Education for a Strong Economy and as part of The California Alliance for Student Parent Success (The Alliance), EdTrust-West is pleased to collaborate with the following institutions. These partners are committed to using data and implementing promising practices to support parenting students on their campuses:
The selected colleges will participate in six facilitated Communities of Practice (CoP) sessions from September 2024 to February 2025. During these sessions, they will work together to develop a campus action plan aimed at supporting student parents. Participants will gather or refine relevant data and identify at least two policy or practice changes to better serve single mothers and student parents.
Equitable Course Placement and Completion Community of Practice
Thanks to the generous support from Ascendium, we are pleased to partner with the following institutions that share a commitment to equitably implementing course placement and completion policies and practices:
The selected colleges will participate in four facilitated Communities of Practice (CoP) sessions from September to December 2024. During these sessions, they will develop a Blueprint for Equity Action Plan with research-based actions to implement AB 705 and AB 1705 policies for English and Math coursework. After completing the CoP sessions, participants will attend two Implementation Institutes in March and June 2025, where each team will present their progress and collaborate with others to advance equitable course placement and completion reforms, improving outcomes for students of color and multilingual students.
Congratulations
We congratulate the representatives of each participating college for their commitment to improving student experiences, particularly for students of color, multilingual learners, and parenting students in California’s community colleges.
Contact Us
For questions about these initiatives, please email Denise Luna.
Photos
Take a look at images capturing the kick-off sessions of both initiatives from September 2024.
