English Learner Advocacy

Language is central to identity, an important reflection of students’ heritage and cultural backgrounds. Language is also important as an academic tool across all disciplines, because it is the means by which students learn.

English learners (also known as multilingual learners or emergent bilinguals) make up nearly one in five students in California public schools. Providing multilingual learners with the supports they need to develop English language skills and academic proficiency — while celebrating the cultural and linguistic assets they bring to school — is critical for ensuring equitable access and success for our English learners.

That’s why we’re working to develop research-based recommendations and tools that education systems can implement to support these learners — from early education through the college pipeline — and help cultivate their future success.

Reouces: Data Tools

Research-driven data and insights are at the core of our mission to expand equity and educational opportunities for California students and families. We’ve developed a number of data tools to help students, families, advocates, and other key stakeholders navigate our research and learn more about how Ed Trust–West uses datasets to guide our advocacy efforts for a more equitable and just education system in California. We track and study a number of education-related data and statistics, from California’s P-16 framework to digital divide maps and beyond.

Developing robust policy recommendations based on well-researched issues across a broad spectrum of issues in education is critical to advancing equity and bettering educational outcomes for students now and in the future.

Resources: Advocacy Tools

Our role at Ed Trust–West isn’t to speak for communities, parents and students. Our role is to listen to and elevate your concerns and to work shoulder-to-shoulder towards change. We’ve developed a number of advocacy tools to inform our partners about the critical issues facing California’s education system. We encourage you to give us feedback on the utility of these tools and resources and use them to support your advocacy as champions of educational equity and justice.
Leni Wolf

Leni Wolf

Associate Director of P-16 Research

Rachel Ruffalo

Rachel Ruffalo

Director of Educator Engagement