Equity Alert: The 5 Things We Were Looking for in California’s ESSA State Plan – How did the State do?

California’s draft Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) plan is now open for public comment. The plan details how California will adhere to the requirements of the federal education civil rights law. So, how did the state do? We took a look at the ESSA plan and looked for 5 big things:

  • Ambitious, long-term goals for student success
  • How each schools are performing overall, and as compared to other schools
  • A meaningful plan for school improvement
  • A plan to address resource inequities
  • A plan to address educator equity

Overall, we think the plan is thin on details, makes too few commitments, and falls short on equity. The good news is that state has the opportunity to make changes before it submits the plan to the U.S. Department of Education in September of 2017. In our new equity alert, we provide recommendations for the state on needed improvements on each of the 5 big things.

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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.