Donate
Donate

The High School Diploma: Making it More Than an Empty Promise

Share:

What’s the point of high school?

When posed in this fashion, without context, this question seems rather light hearted, perhaps a bit rhetorical. But it is not. The question is one of sober seriousness.

Let’s be clear for a moment on the mission of our public high school system: to make sure that our students are prepared for postsecondary education, training and the workforce without the need for remediation. When stated that simply, it seems reasonable, practical and even noble. More than that, it seems obvious: of course, we want to prepare our kids to take the next step in their lives, whether that step is into college or into the workforce. Whatever their decisions, they need to be prepared and empowered to make the choice: we owe our students at least that much.

Prepared for: Senate Standing Committee on Education, Hearing on Senate Bill 1731
Testimony by: Russlynn Ali, Director, The Education Trust West

Published: April 2, 2002

Full Report

More Resources

At EdTrust-West, we believe a different California is possible:

a California that ensures that Black, Latinx, Asian American, Pacific Islander, and Native American students’ futures are as bright as their dreams are big. We believe that our state’s schools, colleges, and universities can form the bedrock of a more just California.

Committed to advancing policies and practices to dismantle the racial and economic barriers embedded in California’s education system.

California Offices: Oakland, Los Angeles, Sacramento

National Office: EdTrust

State Offices: EdTrust-New York, EdTrust-Tennessee, EdTrust-Midwest

Tel: 510.465.6444

Facebook-f Twitter Instagram Linkedin

Help Us Improve: Quick 3-Question Survey
Read our Accessibility Statement

Karla Fernandez

Communications Manager

Karla Fernandez (she/her/hers) joins Ed Trust–West as a Communications Manager with over 11 years of experience advancing social impact initiatives.

Karla started her career as a teacher at Chicago Public Schools and UIC College Prep. After teaching, Karla joined United Friends of the Children to support LA County’s youth in foster care as a college counselor. Through Leadership for Educational Equity, Karla also served as a Policy Advisor Fellow for the office of a Los Angeles Unified School Board Member. She solidified her interests in policy analysis and quantitative research during her time with the Price Center for Social Innovation, the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles, and the USC Presidential Working Group on Sustainability. Before joining The Education Trust–West, Karla was the Associate Director for the Southeast Los Angeles (SELA) Collaborative, a network of nonprofits advocating for communities in SELA.

Karla holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Anthropology from the University of Chicago, a Master of Public Policy from the USC Price School of Public Policy, and a Graduate Certificate in Policy Advocacy from the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. Karla is based out of southern California and is passionate about using data analysis, communications, and digital strategies for policy advocacy and social justice efforts.