Categories Search Results

Featured Publication

Bridging The Gap: The Decline of Latino/Black Men in Higher Education

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.

read more

Beyond Syntax: The Power of Framing in the Research Process for Institutional Planning and Effectiveness

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.

read more

EdInsights Welcomes Dr. Madeleine Kerrick as Its New Executive Director!

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.

read more

Empowering Futures: Analyzing Outcomes for Umoja Students

This report examines demographics and academic outcomes, analyzes effective program design elements from the 2023-24 Umoja programs that increase Umoja student success—measured by students’ perceived self-concept, sense of belonging within Umoja, and academic self-efficacy—and outlines strategies reported by Umoja college program core teams for aligning effective program design elements with broader core services and supports.

read more

Building Cohesion to Support Student Success: The Role of CTE in Unifying California’s Community College Initiatives

Historically, CTE programs have been instrumental in preparing students for the workforce by providing them with practical skills and hands-on experience. These programs offer a powerful medium to bring together various funding initiatives and frameworks within California’s community colleges. These programs, with their focus on practical, skills-based education, are uniquely positioned to address the dual needs of workforce development and student achievement.

read more

Why Student Parent Success Matters for California

As we celebrate National Student Parent Month and settle into the start of a new academic year for student parents and their children, it is important to remember that championing student parent success is not just about helping a specific group of students succeed — it’s about investing in the future of California and the future of our youngest learners, more than 500,000+ of which have a parent in school. Research consistently shows that when student parents earn a degree, their children directly benefit.

read more

Elevating Leadership: Addressing the Needs of English Learners in California

The state of California has the largest EL student population in the nation at 19.1%. Multilingual learners are often subject to a deficit orientation in schools that focuses on what they are assumed to lack rather than the assets that they bring from their multiple languages and cultures. The term English Learner itself assumes that racialized multilingual learners are lacking in their ability to speak and understand English. Current and future multilingual learners face many challenges posed by a slew of structural imbalances as well as this deficit framing — such as economic hardship, segregation, interrupted schooling, under-resourced schools, lack of ESL/bilingual certified teachers and low expectations.

read more

Building Cohesion to Support Student Success: A Focus on Career and Technical Education for All

CTE is defined by the California Department of Education as a program of study that combines core academic knowledge with technical and occupational skills to provide a path for students into postsecondary education, training, and/or career. CTE programs are offered by most high schools across the state and feed into degree programs at local community colleges and four-year universities. CTE provides a vital link between educational and career pathways in a way that can profoundly impact students’ life trajectories by providing them with space to explore potential career interests.

read more

Reflecting on Our Commitment to Racial Equity: EdInsights’ Journey Since 2020

Like many organizations, in May of 2020, EdInsights released a statement acknowledging calls for racial justice spurred by law enforcement’s murder of George Floyd and recommitting to actions that advance racial equity in education. As we look forward to celebrating Juneteenth this year, we offer this reflection on how EdInsights has lived into this commitment over the intervening years.

read more

Building Cohesion Among Current Frameworks and Initiatives Statewide for Optimal Student Success

While sustained funding initiatives are important, the need to learn from previous efforts in a way that allows for a consolidation of the myriad of ongoing initiatives and builds cohesion within institutions is equally important. The results of such efforts have the potential to transform educational structures and policies in support of students’ needs, particularly those belonging to marginalized groups.

read more

Exploring Intersegmental Transfer Partnerships

Since 2016, College Futures Foundation has supported several intersegmental partnerships between California State University (CSU) campuses and California community colleges in their regions. In an effort to learn more about these transfer partnership efforts, College Futures Foundation partnered with Education Insights Center (EdInsights) to engage key constituents in a retrospective learning engagement that included a survey, interviews, and meaning making sessions.

read more

Dr. Madeleine R. Kerrick Appointed as Interim Executive Director!

EdInsights is pleased to announce Dr. Madeleine R. Kerrick as its Interim Executive Director. Dr. Kerrick draws on nearly two decades of experience working in equity and social justice within healthcare and education. With an established record of securing funding, producing quality research, and building highly collaborative and successful teams, Dr. Kerrick is well-positioned to lead the center during this time of transition.

read more