Educational Equity
Creating a racially just Birth to 12th Grade System.
EDUCATIONAL EQUITY
We envision a system that provides joyful, enriching environments where all children and families feel seen, are supported to learn, and can thrive.
Too often, a child’s zip code will determine their access to quality education and eventual outcomes. Alarming opportunity gaps persist across socioeconomic, linguistic, racial and ethnic lines that hinder all children from reaching their full potential. The Educational Equity program works to transform the birth to 12th grade (B-12) system to uplift whole-child, whole-family educational opportunities for children of color from historically underserved communities. We strive to catalyze action that dismantles the systemic barriers that perpetuate disparities in our communities.
WHY THIS ISSUE MATTERS
The pandemic exposed and exacerbated generational racial and economic disparities in our B-12 public education system. It also mobilized action that yielded historic levels of funding and policy shifts and created an understanding that a child’s well-being is rooted in the healthy functioning of their family and community. We must leverage this pivotal moment to support students through a more holistic - “whole-child” approach and a vision of a transformative, racially just, and relationship-centered B-12 system that supports the healthy development and success of every child in California.
IMPACT OF OUR WORK
We lead a Birth to Twelfth Grade policy agenda rooted in racial equity and economic justice, with distinct early childhood and K-12 teams that go deep into the equity priorities impacting the field. We do this through the following approaches:
- Policy & Budget Advocacy – Centers the strengths and experiences of children, families, and B-12 educators and providers of color, and elevates culturally and linguistically affirming best practices.
- Policy Implementation – Advances opportunities to embed or deepen equity in major initiatives across the B-12 system.
- Convenings & Coalition Building – Builds bridges between ECE and K-12 systems and work in coalition with partners to move a collective agenda focused on racial equity and economic justice.
DESIRED OUTCOMES
- Children and families of color from historically underserved communities have the whole-child support and resources to reach their full potential.
- California builds on its cultural, racial, and linguistic diversity to give all learners an opportunity to succeed.
- Meaningful alignment and collaboration exist between the ECE system and K-12 system.