For many marginalized groups, attending college remains an unattainable goal, with most questioning if the tassel is worth the hassle. Recent trends indicate fewer Latino and Black high school students aspire to attend college, with numbers dropping considerably in the past few years. Experts attribute this trend to rising inflation, low unemployment rates, and increasing college costs, which have made the opportunity cost of higher education exceptionally high for low-income, first-generation students and men of color.

As the demand for data continues to increase and inform institutional decisions and practices, many of the resources available on data gathering, such as data-driven approaches or data analytics, have failed to emphasize one vital factor of effective research:the importance of framing in the research process. Framing plays a critical role in the development of research question(s) that guide a project, which can also serve as a framework throughout the research process, and in making meaning of research findings.

It’s with great enthusiasm that we look forward to a year of change at EdInsights. Next month we will announce a new executive director, poised to lead our work within California’s educational community. As we enter 2025, we reflect on the transformative impacts within our center, and take this as an opportunity to share our progress with all of you.