EdTrust-West Responds the 2025 California School Dashboard Release

Transparency Alone Will Not Change Outcomes for Students of Color, Multilingual Learners, and Low-Income Students

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact

Dan Lijana, (510) 879-6202
[email protected]

OAKLAND, CA — In response to the release of updated data on the California School Dashboard, Melissa Valenzuela-Stookey, Director of P-16 Research at EdTrust-West, issued the following statement:

“The Dashboard shines a light on inequities — but transparency alone will not change outcomes for students of color, multilingual learners, and low-income students. The Dashboard’s value lies not in what it reports, but in its ability to drive investment, accountability, and a greater sense of urgency.

Key findings:

Black, Pacific Islander, and Native American students continue to be more than twice as likely as white and Asian students to be chronically absent from school, with roughly a third of each student group chronically absent in 2024-25. As noted in our Black Minds Matter report, this suggests a need to recommit to building and sustaining a high-quality teacher workforce that reflects the diversity of the state’s students and fostering welcoming, inclusive school environments.
While there was some progress, stark gaps in math and English language arts proficiency persist, with Black students among the least supported to reach proficiency. Closing these gaps will require state leaders to both guarantee adequate and equitable funding and accountability and ensure all students have access to high-quality curriculum and instruction, especially in math.
Despite recent improvements, significant equity gaps remain in graduation rates and college readiness. The dashboard’s color rating system can make these disparities appear less severe, but the reality is stark: only 35% of Native American graduates, 36% of Black graduates, and 45% of Latinx graduates meet the state’s college readiness benchmark.

The results showcased in this year’s dashboard send an undeniable message: California’s state leaders must take action now to accelerate growth for students who have been underserved for far too long.

EdTrust-West will continue to analyze the Dashboard data to identify trends and gaps by race, income, and language status, and to publish recommendations for state and local policymakers aimed at ensuring that every child in California has access to great teaching, strong schools, and real opportunity.”

About EdTrust-West

EdTrust-West is an evidence-driven advocacy organization committed to advancing policies and practices to dismantle the racial and economic barriers embedded in California’s education system. For over two decades, EdTrust-West has worked to improve racial equity in education by engaging diverse communities and increasing political and public will to build an education system where students of color and multilingual learners will thrive. For more information, see www.edtrustwest.org.

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EdTrust-West Responds the 2025 California School Dashboard Release