Subscribe
Donate
Donate

Building What We Deserve: EdTrust-West’s Vision for Education Equity in Los Angeles County

Share:

At EdTrust-West, we believe every student in LA County deserves access to high-quality, equitable educational opportunities that prepare them for college, career, and a future of their choosing. In this pivotal moment, we remain unwavering in our commitment to racial justice.

Our Vision for LA County, outlined below, includes bold actions that education leaders must take to ensure every student thrives. We stand ready to partner with communities, educators, county and state leaders to make this vision a reality. The time for bold action is now.

Bold Leadership to Integrate Systems for Student Success

We call on LA county education system leaders to:

  • Use disaggregated data to identify and address the unique needs of students of color experiencing poverty, multilingual learners, and parenting students.
  • Expand partnerships across California’s TK-12 public schools, community colleges and public four-year institutions to ensure they are resourced to serve diverse student populations effectively.

A Teaching Workforce Reflective of LA County’s Diversity

 We call on LA County education system leaders to:

  • Expand and fund educator preparation pathways—such as Grow Your Own programs and teacher residencies—that prioritize candidates of color and multilingual candidates
  • Provide incentives and mentorship supports to recruit and retain educators of color and multilingual educators in high-need schools.
  • Create inclusive working school environments by investing in leadership development and offering professional learning on culturally sustaining and anti-racist practices.

Remove Barriers to College Access and Success

 We call on LA County education system leaders to:

  • Make A-G the default curriculum and ensure all students have the resources and support needed to successfully complete the A-G requirements.
  • Expand universal access to dual enrollment opportunities so students can gain college credit early, reduce the time and cost of completing a degree, and build confidence in their postsecondary potential.
  • Dismantle barriers to financial aid and provide targeted supports to help students of color experiencing poverty access higher education and earn a degree or credential.

Adopt Race-Conscious Policies and Practices

 We call on LA County education system leaders to:

  • Direct resources—including funding, targeted investments, academic and social-emotional support—to where disparities are the greatest.
  • Take an honest accounting of opportunity gaps and commit to concrete changes, including educational reparations for Black students.
  • Adopt high-quality, culturally affirming instruction that centers students’ diverse identities, cultures, and contexts.
  • Engage parents and caregivers of color as partners in creating safe, supportive, and inclusive learning environments.
Download Brief

Check out our Social Media Toolkit for Partners to share your support with your network!