When it comes to Black youth, narratives about educational outcome gaps are often deficit-focused and incomplete, reifying notions of immovable racial inequities rather than uplifting evidence of students excelling when afforded the opportunities they deserve. Families, educators, school and district leaders, and state policymakers all need access to data that tells a fuller and more nuanced story of students’ experiences across intersections of identity, like race and gender, to tailor school improvement efforts effectively.
In our latest publication as part of our research in brief series, Black Girl Brilliance: Using Data to Catalyze Change for California’s Black Girls, the authors examine school-level data from more than 8,000 California public schools to understand where Black girls are accessing “promotive opportunities”—key resources and experiences that drive academic success. The brief provides specific next steps and overall recommendations on how to expand opportunity.
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
Help Us Improve: Quick 3-Question Survey
Read our Accessibility Statement
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.