Statements

Mission

The Education Trust is committed to advancing policies and practices to dismantle the racial and economic barriers embedded in the American education system. Through our research and advocacy, Ed Trust improves equity in education from preschool through college, engages diverse communities dedicated to education equity and justice, and increases political and public will to build an education system where students will thrive.

Background

We believe in the power of education to close the gaps that separate students from low-income backgrounds and students of color from other young Americans.
We believe schools and colleges, appropriately organized, can help virtually all students master the knowledge they need to succeed.
We believe long-standing gaps in opportunity, achievement, and attainment have roots inside and outside of schools. And though we know these gaps are stubborn, we also know they are not inevitable.
We believe a strong education improves the lives of young people, is vital to sustaining our democracy, and strengthens America.

Impact

Although many organizations speak up for the adults employed by schools and colleges, we speak up for students, especially those whose needs and potential are often overlooked. We evaluate every policy, every practice, and every dollar spent through a single lens: what is right for students. Ed Trust's theory of change has four main components:
1) Communicate the excellence of students of color and students from low-income backgrounds
2) Conduct research on best practices and use data to increase accountability and transparency
3) Elevate the voices of students, parents, families, and educators to ensure those most affected are driving policies
4) Form partnerships and support coalitions to amplify views of equity-focused organizations and supplement our expertise.
We are not a think tank, but rather an advocate partner that uses data to increase public will for change. All of our efforts should result in the adoption of meaningful changes that open opportunities for students of color and students from low-income backgrounds.

Needs

Ed Trust-National (ETN) will support federal and state education policy work, as well as state advocacy work nationwide, to address education inequities through partnerships with grassroots and grasstops organizations. ETN will build the capacity of local advocates to advance systems-level change in schools and Pre-K-12 school systems that have historically underserved vulnerable students and their communities. ETN will leverage its deep expertise in P-12 and higher education federal and state policy with a racial equity lens in all work and especially in work related to American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) implementation.

Service Categories
Primary Category:	Education  - Alliances & Advocacy
Secondary Category:	-
Tertiary Category:	-

Areas Served

National

TN - Tennessee (Entire State)

Statewide