Publications & Reports
Through research and by exploring practices and policies that work and identifying those that don’t, we aim to provide the information and tools necessary to improve and maximize the educational experience for all students, TK through college. Our publications are diverse and intended for advocates, policymakers, educators, and even parents.
TK
Equitable access to early education is critical to improving long-term educational outcomes for students, especially those from under-resourced communities. At EdTrust-West, we work to uncover the layers of inequities in transitional kindergarten, from inequitable access to high-quality programs, to wage disparities for educators, and disproportionate discipline for young Black children. We are committed to ensuring equitable access to high-quality early learning opportunities, with focus on improving access to transitional kindergarten programs.
K-12 Education
At EdTrust-West, our work centers on identifying disparities within the K-12 education system, developing research-based policy and practice proposals to address these disparities, and advocating for evidence-based and innovative approaches and solutions. We’re committed to promoting equitable funding, improving educational standards and cultural relevance, strengthening supports for multilingual learners, and ensuring more students from marginalized communities are graduating from high school ready to enter the workforce or pursue higher education.
Higher Education
Higher education has never been more critical to economic opportunity and mobility, and our state’s colleges and universities at all levels can do much more to retain and graduate students from marginalized backgrounds. EdTrust-West is dedicated to eradicating barriers faced by students of color in higher education – ensuring equitable access to financial aid, expanding dual enrollment opportunities for Black, Latinx, and Native students, and addressing the racial inequities in remedial education.
English learners
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. 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.

What is the Cradle-to-Career Data System?
California’s information about opportunities and outcomes in early learning and care, TK-12 schools, colleges, social services, and employment is currently disconnected. A longitudinal data system can

Trending in the Right Direction: A Data for the People Progress Report on California’s Cradle-to-Career (C2C) Data System
In 2019, California passed legislation that called for the creation of its longitudinal data system, the Cradle-to-Career (C2C) Data System. The “Trending in the Right Direction” report
Black Minds Matter: Establishing Black-Serving Institutions (BSIs) in California’s Higher Education Landscape
Explore EdTrust-West’s latest Equity Alert, Black Minds Matter: Establishing Black-Serving Institutions (BSIs) in California’s Higher Education Landscape. The Equity Alert delves into Senate Bill (SB) 1348 (Bradford),
Propelling Student Success: An Equitable Course Placement and Completion Checklist for California Community Colleges
“Propelling Student Success: An Equitable Course Placement and Completion Checklist for California Community Colleges” is a new publication authored by EdTrust and endorsed by prominent organizations.
Community Guide for Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) Updates
Equity in ActionCommunity Guide for Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) Updates Introduction Engage & Influence LCAP Updates Get Involved Welcome to “Equity in Action: Community

California Educator Diversity Road Map Briefs: A Comprehensive Approach to Recruiting and Retaining the #TeachersWeNeed
Introducing Our New Briefs We are proud to unveil a suite of three new policy briefs, as part of the California Educator Diversity Road Map project,

Harnessing Evidence for Equity: EdTrust-West’s 2023-24 Research Agenda
Harnessing Evidence for Equity, our 2023-24 Research Agenda, outlines the key research questions EdTrust-West is currently exploring and shares our research goals that help to ensure

Empowering Bright Futures: The Alliance’s Policy Agenda for California’s Leaders to Support Student Parents and Their Families
Unlocking the potential of 3.9 million parenting Californians without a college degree is key to empowering bright futures and fortifying the state’s economy. However, in both

Enacting Equity: Implementing an Equity Blueprint with a Focus on Black Student Success
“Enacting Equity: Implementing an Equity Blueprint with a Focus on Black Student Success” is a case study that shares insights from Eastside Union Elementary School District’s

Defining High-Quality Instructional Materials for Mathematics: Centering the Assets and Needs of Multilingual Learner and English Learner Students by The High Quality Instructional Materials Learning Partners Coalition (HQIM-LPC)
The “Defining High-Quality Instructional Materials for Mathematics: Centering the Assets and Needs of Multilingual Learner and English Learner Students” resource, developed by the High Quality Instructional
More to Be Done: California’s Local Control Funding Formula After a Decade
More to Be Done: California’s Local Control Funding Formula After a Decade Share this article: California is home to the most diverse student population in the

Empowering Bright Futures: A First Look at The California Alliance for Student Parent Success’ Policy Agenda
The Education Trust–West and California Competes: Higher Education for a Strong Economy are building The California Alliance for Student Parent Success (“The Alliance”) to support and

The Power of Now: EdTrust-West’s 2023-24 Policy Agenda
California is home to over 8 million students in TK-12 classrooms and on college campuses across the state with big dreams for their future – dreams

Bright Spot: Ventura College Eliminates Remedial Math and Improves Student Success
For far too long in California, remedial courses in California Community Colleges meant costly barriers to student success. Fortunately, recent legislation – Assembly Bill 705 signed
LA County Data Equity Walk
During our 2023 summer convening Equity Forward: Education Equity in Los Angeles County, we led participants through a Data Equity Walk to dig deeper into the

Policy Brief: Equitable and Accessible Early Learning and Care in California Starts with an Early Childhood Integrated Data System (ECIDS)
As California invests in early learning and care, the state is also moving forward with a long-overdue plan to build a statewide longitudinal data system (SLDS)

Four Big Bets for Improving K-12 Ed Equity in 2023
In the spring of 2023, The Education Trust—West convened partners across 15 organizations to discuss Four Big Bets California can make to improve student success and

California Educator Diversity Road Map: Community-Informed Policy Strategies
Research shows that students derive both social-emotional and academic benefits from a diverse educator workforce. The state has taken notable steps to prioritize a more diverse

Equity Alert: Investing Equitably in California College Affordability
Cal Grants are the most critical state financial aid investments to promote college access and affordability for Black, Latinx, and Native American students and students from
Dual Enrollment Resources for Students and Families
Explaining dual enrollment to students and families can be challenging. Because of this, we’re sharing a new set of resources to help. We’re excited to announce