EdTrust-West

EdTrust-West Working to dismantle the racial and economic barriers embedded in California’s education system.

EdTrust-West is an evidence-driven advocacy organization committed to advancing policies and practices to dismantle the racial and economic barriers embedded in the California education system. For over two decades, EdTrust-West has worked to improve racial equity in education by engaging diverse communities and increasing political and public will to build an education system where students of color and multilingual learners will thrive.

“We hope this tool connects student parents with what they need to achieve their dreams. They are highly motivated, high...
06/06/2026

“We hope this tool connects student parents with what they need to achieve their dreams. They are highly motivated, highly capable individuals and we think it’s unacceptable that they might feel they have to choose between being a parent and getting their diploma. What frequently stands in their way is lack of access to stable housing or basic needs like food. Campuses can and should provide resources to meet those needs." - Melissa Valenzuela-Stookey, Director of P-16 Research

Read more from The Sacramento Bee: edtrustwest.info/media-24

📌 Explore the here: castudentparentalliance.org/resource-hub

Did you read our email?1) As soon as this week, the U.S. Senate may vote on a massive funding bill for border and immi...
06/04/2026

Did you read our email?

1) As soon as this week, the U.S. Senate may vote on a massive funding bill for border and immigration enforcement. To protect our communities, a group of U.S. Senators is trying to amend this bill that would restrict ICE and border agents from conducting enforcement actions near schools, hospitals, places of worship, and other sensitive locations. Email your U.S Senator today and ask them to vote "YES": edtrustwest.info/CA-Senators

2) California is home to more than one million multilingual students. Push back on the U.S. Office of English Language Acquisition (OELA) dissolution. Contact your Congressional Representative: edtrustwest.info/Congress-Rep

3) The California State Legislature is currently considering a measure to amend California’s Constitution to allow for public education to consider race when designing policies that address documented inequities. Sign on to our coalition letter to support this measure (ACA 7) by June 10 at 5:00pm and receive updates on our advocacy efforts: edtrustwest.info/Coalition-Letter

We are excited to share that Martine Blake has started as our inaugural Deputy Director of External Affairs!Prior to joi...
06/04/2026

We are excited to share that Martine Blake has started as our inaugural Deputy Director of External Affairs!

Prior to joining EdTrust-West, Martine served as Director of Family and Community Engagement at West Contra Costa Unified School District where she led districtwide community engagement and Community Schools strategy across more than 50 schools serving approximately 25,000 students. In this role, she partnered with families, educators, local government, labor, and community organizations to strengthen equity-centered policy, integrated student supports, and cross-sector collaboration.

We’re thrilled to have her with us and look forward to the leadership she’ll bring to EdTrust-West's communications, partnership and engagement, and educator engagement work as we continue to grow. Learn more here: edtrustwest.info/Martine

Join our colleagues, Megan Kane, Kelsey Hernandez, Esmeralda Marcial, and Vanessa Romo, at the 2026 UnidosUS Education S...
06/03/2026

Join our colleagues, Megan Kane, Kelsey Hernandez, Esmeralda Marcial, and Vanessa Romo, at the 2026 UnidosUS Education Summit! Don't miss out on these EdTrust-West sessions on Thursday, June 11, 2026, in Los Angeles:

〰️ Advocacy Is a Skill ➡️ Learn how to harness your voice, data, and lived experiences to build power and drive equity-centered change in your community.

〰️ Changing the Equation ➡️ Gain research-based insights and strategies to advance equitable math access for California’s multilingual learners.

Learn more details and register here: unidosus.org/education-summit

When communities have the data they need, they can drive the change students deserve. Explore the Data for the People 20...
06/02/2026

When communities have the data they need, they can drive the change students deserve. Explore the Data for the People 2026 Policy Agenda and join the movement for equity‑centered education: edtrustwest.info/D4TP-Policy2026.

This agenda outlines actionable steps state leaders can take to strengthen the Cradle-to-Career (C2C) Data System, improve reporting across agencies, and ensure all Californians have access to timely, disaggregated data that drives accountability and supports better outcomes.

05/30/2026

Felicity Potter is a 6th-8th grade science and robotics teacher at Del Dios Academy of Arts and Sciences in Escondido. Most of her students speak Spanish primarily. “My students deserve to see themselves everywhere they go,” says Felicity. “They should see that they can become anything they want to be and that includes teaching.”

“The state needs to make it possible to live on a teacher’s salary, to listen to teachers, and to acknowledge what we need in our classrooms for our students. My students need to see adults like them thriving and teaching the next generation,” she says.

CEDAN is working to build the diverse, fully prepared educator workforce California students deserve. Learn more here: edtrustwest.info/CEDAN

ACA 7 by Assemblymember Jackson would remove public education, with the exception of college admissions, from Propositio...
05/28/2026

ACA 7 by Assemblymember Jackson would remove public education, with the exception of college admissions, from Proposition 209. If approved by voters, it would give state and local leaders the flexibility they need to use targeted, evidence-based strategies to close opportunity gaps.

As policymakers make critical decisions on budget priorities and key legislation, we have an opportunity to ensure community voice translates into action—especially in support of ACA 7.

Here are three ways to stay engaged:
✔ Sign or submit a letter of support by May 29
✔ Email your legislator (and share with your network)
✔ Show up and register your support at the June 3 hearing

Head over to edtrustwest.info/whatcanyoudo to learn more details and complete each action item!

Join us for the Education Justice Lab—The Abundance Mindset: Reimagining California Fair School Funding📅 June 10, 2026 |...
05/28/2026

Join us for the Education Justice Lab—The Abundance Mindset: Reimagining California Fair School Funding

📅 June 10, 2026 | 10am–3pm
📍 California Community Foundation, Los Angeles

School districts across California are facing real budget pressures—and the cuts too often fall hardest on students furthest from opportunity. Come learn, share, and build advocacy strategies alongside community and equity-focused partners. No expertise needed, just your voice and lived experience.

Featuring panelists from Californians Together, California Budget & Policy Center, and Communities In Schools of Los Angeles.

🔗 Register by May 29 if you haven't done so already: edtrustwest.info/Reimagining-CA

Our Black Student Success Data Tool is an interactive resource to make information on the experiences and outcomes of Bl...
05/28/2026

Our Black Student Success Data Tool is an interactive resource to make information on the experiences and outcomes of Black students in Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) accessible in order to make improvements towards education equity.

The tool highlights progress, gaps, and what supports are needed to advance Black student success.

Explore the tool here: edtrustwest.info/BlackStudentSuccessTool

Address

580 2nd Street, Suite 200
Oakland, CA
94607

Website

http://www.linkedin.com/company/edtrust-west/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when EdTrust-West posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category