The Education Trust—West releases new report: “Achievement in California 2009: Persistent Challenges and Paths Forward”

OAKLAND, CA (August 24, 2009) Today, the Education Trust—West released its annual report Achievement in California 2009: Persistent Challenges and Paths Forward.

At a time when Governor Schwarzenegger has called state leaders to ‘seek any reforms or changes to the law deemed necessary’ and bring about significant education reform, this report makes clear that the time for crucial change is now.

Utilizing the Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) data released last week by the California Department of Education (CDE), Achievement in California 2009 makes clear that the incremental progress made by students across the state is only part of the story. Indeed, despite some progress, the gaps in achievement separating Latino, African-American, and low-income students from their more advantaged peers are not closing but in some cases, are actually widening.

Achievement in California 2009 shines a spotlight on those achievement gaps, while at the same time identifying schools across the state making significant gains with the students who are farthest behind. It profiles schools dispelling the myth that demographics determine destiny, and highlights the strategic and proven approaches undertaken to ensure greater equity of access and achievement for California’s historically underserved students.

By nearly every measure, our public schools continue to struggle to serve our most vulnerable children well. Unfortunately, the schools profiled in this report remain the exception, rather than the rule. State leaders must seize the opportunity provided by the federal government’s unprecedented investment in education and the Governor’s call for Special Legislative Session to enact the type of change that will forever close gaps in access and achievement.

We simply cannot afford to tinker at the edges of reform while another generation of young people—particularly our low-income students and students of color—go underestimated and underserved by our education system.

To read the full report, click here.

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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.