01/16/2020

Think Equitably, Act Locally: Ensuring Equity and Collective Advocacy in California Community Colleges

Over a million students of color attend California’s community colleges, gaining technical skills and education that prepares them for transfer and a variety of different trades […]
12/11/2019

Advocacy Tools: Implementing the English Learner Roadmap and Affirming the Rights of English Learners

California’s diverse population speaks dozens of different languages. That diversity contributes to the best parts of our state – a vibrant culture, innovative spirit, and strong […]
11/25/2019

Data For The People: What’s Next: Designing a Cradle-to-Career Data System for an Equitable California

  Data can be a powerful tool for illuminating inequities and capitalizing on opportunities for students along their educational journeys. Governor Newsom and state legislators have […]
10/11/2019

Student Achievement Analysis: Results of the 2018-19 Smarter Balanced Assessments

Recently, the California Department of Education released the results of our state’s college- and career-readiness aligned assessments, the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP). […]
07/02/2019

Data For The People Equity Alert: What’s Next for California’s Cradle to Career Data System

California is celebrating an important win, as Governor Newsom and state legislators included millions of dollars in establishing a new Cradle to Career data system in […]

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.