Moving New York Forward: A Look at EdTrust-New York’s Recent Impact
EdTrust-New York officially launched in July of 2016, but our origin story goes back much further. New York is a place where we champion equity for students of color — particularly Black, Latinx, and Native American students, and students from low-income backgrounds. Since our launch we have built a reputation of saying the hard truths and pointing out the equity implications for education policy decisions to unapologetically make the case for doing what is right for students.
Our commitment to students and families has helped us grow in people power and in impact. Our staff brings a wealth of experience into the coalition meeting spaces and legislative briefing rooms they enter. From former classroom teachers and staff at the New York State Education Department to previous community organizers and legislative staffers, our multifaceted team is uniquely talented. We ground our work in data and use our research expertise to develop policy solutions and cultivate advocacy that prioritizes racial equity in education. As one of the only organizations in New York that leads a statewide education equity agenda, we leverage this approach and connect advocates across workforce, education, and economic sectors. Our work focuses on all levels of a student’s educational journey from birth through college and the workforce, and we specifically highlight the inequitable educational journeys of Black, Latinx, Native American, and immigrant students, as well as students from other marginalized communities. Put simply, we know what it takes to come together and ensure our communities not only survive, but thrive in New York’s schools, colleges, and careers.
Our approach gives us the unique ability to be powerful in all the places where policy is created — from cities, school districts, and colleges to the state capitol. In the past three years, EdTrust-New York helped to pass 16 pieces of state and local legislation and policy guidance.
By the Numbers
mentions or features in news articles, op-eds, and blogs. Shaping the conversation
website views Providing resources and information families and advocates can use
social media impressions Reaching far and wide to inform the field
hours of capacity building and advocacy training for 31 parent leaders Supporting and equipping equity champions
reports, press statements, and press releases put out with coalition partners Shaping a collection vision for equity in New York education systems
mentions or features in news articles, op-eds, and blogs. Shaping the conversation
in child care and early learning funding Supporting families and setting young children up for success
%
by 2032 - poverty reduction target set by Child Poverty Reduction Act Taking bold steps to ensure economic mobility
more families receiving help with essential expenses like food and housing through Empire State Child Tax Credit expansion Reducing child poverty and making it easier for families to concentrate on early learning and child care
to tackle the literacy crisis in New York schools Raising awareness and dollars to help make sure all New York kids can read
%
of New York public high schools now required to help students learn about, apply for, or choose to opt out of applying for financial aid Removing barriers that have limited these students from fully accessing college Making sure students and their families get support that can help them afford college
to expand the Tuition Assistance Program to reach part-time students and students who have been impacted by the criminal justice system Removing barriers that limit some of our most marginalized students
more per student for the minimum Tuition Assistance Program Ensuring state support is directed to students from low-income backgrounds
investment in expanding early college access Investing in proven strategies to help more students go to college
FOIL requests to share data on how schools and colleges are doing to support students who are Black, Latinx, Native American, and students from low-income backgrounds Prioritizing transparency and public accountability
reports analyzing school and college data to hold leaders accountable for improving student outcomes Providing evidence-based information for policymakers and advocates
key findings on student outcomes in New York state, disaggregated by race and socioeconomic background Breaking down data to show racial and socioeconomic inequities
Interactive Data Tools Providing timely information in the absence of a much-needed statewide longitudinal data system
EdTrust-New York is tackling an urgent problem head on with the New York Campaign for Early Literacy. Less than half of the state’s third graders are reading at grade level. In fact, when we look at how students of color and those from low-income backgrounds are faring, the need is even more urgent. Only 29% of Black and Latinx students, and just 12% of Native American students, are reading at grade-level, compared to 46% of white students and 56% of non-low-income students.
Bringing together individuals, libraries, and civil rights, education, parent, nonprofit, and early childhood organizations to harness the power of shifting narratives and mobilize advocates, EdTrust-New York is leading the fight to improve literacy outcomes and make sure all of New York’s kids learn to read. With a big win in 2024 — successfully advocating for $10 million in initial state investments for professional development for teachers — we’re off to a good start. In addition, the state Department of Education will now be required to provide guidance to districts on aligning their teaching with the science of reading, and districts will need to verify they are using appropriately-aligned curricula. While these efforts lay the initial groundwork, EdTrust-New York will continue to build the awareness, sense of urgency, and public will necessary for additional funding and legislation to make the literacy crisis a thing of the past.
The power of being as connected to parent organizers and fellow civil rights organizations in Buffalo as we are to business leaders and legislators in Brooklyn is that the solutions we fight for are informed by the diversity of perspectives necessary for lasting change. Our 210+ partners include organizations from civil rights, education, parent, nonprofit, business, and government sectors as part of the statewide coalitions and campaigns we lead and convene, covering a child’s trajectory from birth, through college, and into the workforce.
In 2023, our work as part of the New York Equity Coalition led to a seemingly simple yet powerful practice being instituted in every school district in the state. Families are now informed about the benefits of enrolling in advanced classes and what courses are offered in the district.We know the solutions that will move New York forward are strongest when they are collectively developed. EdTrust-New York’s unique positionality in the state means we both convene stakeholders ourselves and, together with our partners, are a “convener of conveners.” Our Equity Benefit event brought together over 100 policymakers, students, educators, state, city, and district leaders to network, celebrate, and make connections that continue to strengthen equity work throughout the state. And in recent years, over 1,100 students participated in EdTrust-New York and New York Equity Coalition-led events, sharing their perspectives and informing our policy solutions. EdTrust-New York events run the gamut from town halls and focus groups to panels, film screenings, and legislative briefings, enabling us to forge connections between and with a wide range of advocates and leaders.
The power of being as connected to parent organizers and fellow civil rights organizations in Buffalo as we are to business leaders and legislators in Brooklyn is that the solutions we fight for are informed by the diversity of perspectives necessary for lasting change. Our 210+ partners include organizations from civil rights, education, parent, nonprofit, business, and government sectors as part of the statewide coalitions and campaigns we lead and convene, covering a child’s trajectory from birth, through college, and into the workforce.
In 2023, our work as part of the New York Equity Coalition led to a seemingly simple yet powerful practice being instituted in every school district in the state. Families are now informed about the benefits of enrolling in advanced classes and what courses are offered in the district.We know the solutions that will move New York forward are strongest when they are collectively developed. EdTrust-New York’s unique positionality in the state means we both convene stakeholders ourselves and, together with our partners, are a “convener of conveners.” Our Equity Benefit event brought together over 100 policymakers, students, educators, state, city, and district leaders to network, celebrate, and make connections that continue to strengthen equity work throughout the state. And in recent years, over 1,100 students participated in EdTrust-New York and New York Equity Coalition-led events, sharing their perspectives and informing our policy solutions. EdTrust-New York events run the gamut from town halls and focus groups to panels, film screenings, and legislative briefings, enabling us to forge connections between and with a wide range of advocates and leaders.
Connecting the Dots: Well-connected and community-driven
The power of being as connected to parent organizers and fellow civil rights organizations in Buffalo as we are to business leaders and legislators in Brooklyn is that the solutions we fight for are informed by the diversity of perspectives necessary for lasting change. Our 210+ partners include organizations from civil rights, education, parent, nonprofit, business, and government sectors as part of the statewide coalitions and campaigns we lead and convene, covering a child’s trajectory from birth, through college, and into the workforce.
In 2023, our work as part of the New York Equity Coalition led to a seemingly simple yet powerful practice being instituted in every school district in the state. Families are now informed about the benefits of enrolling in advanced classes and what courses are offered in the district.We know the solutions that will move New York forward are strongest when they are collectively developed. EdTrust-New York’s unique positionality in the state means we both convene stakeholders ourselves and, together with our partners, are a “convener of conveners.” Our Equity Benefit event brought together over 100 policymakers, students, educators, state, city, and district leaders to network, celebrate, and make connections that continue to strengthen equity work throughout the state. And in recent years, over 1,100 students participated in EdTrust-New York and New York Equity Coalition-led events, sharing their perspectives and informing our policy solutions. EdTrust-New York events run the gamut from town halls and focus groups to panels, film screenings, and legislative briefings, enabling us to forge connections between and with a wide range of advocates and leaders.