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

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EdTrust-West’s Vision for Education Equity in Los Angeles County

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.

Bold Leadership to Integrate Systems for Student Success

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A Teaching Workforce Reflective of LA’s Diversity

We call on LA County education system leaders to:

  • Invest in and expand pathways into the teaching profession for educators of color and multilingual educators.
  • Recruit and retain educators of color, including multilingual educators, to teach in high need schools.
  • Ensure schools are places where educators of color and multilingual educators can thrive and lead.

A Teaching Workforce Reflective of LA’s Diversity

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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 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.

Remove Barriers to College Access and Success

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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 co-leaders in education.

Adopt Race-Conscious Policies and Practices

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

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Committed to advancing policies and practices to dismantle the racial and economic barriers embedded in California’s education system.

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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.