The Education Trust: Shaping Education Through Equity-Driven Initiatives

Introduction

The Education Trust (EdTrust) is a national nonprofit organization committed to dismantling the racial and economic barriers embedded in the American education system. EdTrust champions education equity by working alongside policymakers, advocates, and educators to create meaningful change at the national, state, and local levels. This article explores the multifaceted approach EdTrust takes to achieve its mission, from advocating for policy changes to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment.

Addressing Opportunity Gaps

Today’s student body is more diverse and multicultural than ever. In classrooms across America, there are many students of color and students from low-income backgrounds who are eager to learn and have big dreams. However, they often remain underserved at their schools. EdTrust seeks to close opportunity gaps that separate students of color and students from low-income backgrounds from their White, more affluent peers.

EdTrust promotes high academic achievement for all students at all levels-pre-kindergarten through college. 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 work alongside educators, parents, students, policymakers, and civic and business leaders in communities across the country, providing practical assistance in their efforts to transform schools and colleges into institutions that serve all students well. We analyze local, state, and national data and use what we learn to help build broader understanding of achievement and opportunity gaps and the actions necessary to close them.

Policy and Advocacy Efforts

EdTrust brings together advocates and national thought partners with congressional staff, executive agency staff, and stakeholders from the education, civil rights, disability, and business communities to achieve and implement federal policies that advance education equity for students of color and students from low-income backgrounds. In certain states, EdTrust seeks to drive conversations about how the state’s public education system can better serve students of color and students from low-income backgrounds, pre-K through college. We bridge policy and community by engaging and equipping education stakeholders, including civic organizations, education equity coalitions, thought leaders, educators, policymakers, families, and youth.

At a time when public education is under attack, EdTrust-Midwest and our partners continue to urge policymakers to invest more for students with the greatest needs. That’s because we know that Michigan’s public school students who have long been underserved - students from low-income backgrounds, students of color, English learners and students with disabilities - need additional support.

Organizational Culture and Values

EdTrust is committed to investing in employee development, building liberatory and sustainable work practices, and fostering an organizational culture anchored in structures and systems that share power and advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. EdTrust is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We design our recruiting and hiring processes with an understanding of systems of oppression, and no person will be discriminated against in employment because of race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, national origin, genetic information, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, ancestry, family/marital status, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic.

EdTrust is an equity-driven, data-centered, and student-focused organization with the mission of dismantling the racial and economic barriers embedded in the American education system. We believe that, at its core, education equity starts with building relationships and community - with advocates, educators, and policymakers joining forces to eliminate education injustices together.

EdTrust-Midwest is an equal opportunity employer, committed to diversity in all facets of our work.

Total Rewards Package

EdTrust invests in team members through three types of rewards: compensation, benefits, and intangibles, collectively referred to as “total rewards.” Our total rewards package includes competitive, equitable pay and prioritizes the health and well-being of employees.

Compensation and Pay Equity

Our pay reflects our compensation philosophy of market competitiveness and pay equity. All candidates receive a first/best offer in line with our market for talent and geography, and that honors their skillsets and experiences while staying in line with the salaries of current EdTrusters. Pay bands are intentionally broad enough to allow for salary growth without requiring a job or title change because we believe in recognizing the value of your growth and impact in the role that you’re in.

Health and Well-being

Health Insurance: 100% of medical, dental, and vision premiums covered for employees and significant coverage for spouses, domestic partners, and dependents.
Paid Time Off: At least 30 days of paid time off annually for vacation and holidays. This includes 2 week-long, org-wide, synchronous paid breaks for rest and renewal - 1 in summer and 1 in winter. To honor the range of EdTruster needs, we also provide 4 personal days each year.
Retirement Savings: An automatic 4% contribution into your retirement account and up to a 3% match. This can add up to a 7% employer contribution annually!
Paid Parental Leave: 5 weeks of fully paid parental leave for birth, adoption, or foster care placement - no “wait time” required after the date of hire.
Flexibility: Our hybrid work schedule allows EdTrusters to enjoy more flexibility and minimize commutes.
Pre-Tax Accounts: EdTrusters can put money toward the following pre-tax benefits: Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance premiums; Flexible Spending Accounts for Medical and Dependent Care, Health Savings Accounts, and Public Transit.
Piece of Mind: EdTrust covers the cost of basic life insurance, long-term disability insurance, and AD&D insurance. EdTrusters have the option to purchase additional life insurance and short-term disability insurance with our carriers.

Growth and Development

We value each EdTruster’s professional growth and, through our Professional Development stipend program, provide $1k per employee to put toward individualized development needs each year.

Network and Relationship Building

An emphasis on ongoing internal collaboration and relationship-building, such as through bi-annual org-wide retreats, gives EdTrusters the opportunity to connect and build relationships with one another.

Internship Program

EdTrust-Midwest’s internship program is for individuals who believe that all students can achieve at high levels and who want to work as part of a team committed to that goal. The program is designed for undergraduates, recent graduates and graduate students who are capable of performing staff-level work with minimal supervision. Interns work closely with designated staff members to develop and execute projects that will advance the organization’s agenda. Through the experience, interns will broaden their professional skills and experiences in a demanding, but rewarding, setting.

The State Director Role

The Education Trust (EdTrust) seeks a State Director to lead our policy and advocacy agenda in Michigan. The State Director manages the EdTrust Michigan team and leads the development and advancement of EdTrust’s P12 and Higher Ed policy agenda through state and local coalition-driven advocacy, adapting and aligning EdTrust’s policy positions and advocacy agendas to best fit the local context. The position engages externally with partners, policymakers, funders and advocates, as well as internally with EdTrust-National staff and other EdTrust team members, to eliminate disparities in opportunity, access, and achievement.

Commitment to Equal Opportunity and Privacy

EdTrust is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all and to providing a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All job applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, marital status, ancestry, physical or mental disability, veteran status, gender identity, or sexual orientation.

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EdTrust is committed to protecting the privacy of its users. When we provide our Services to our Customers, the Customer generally controls and manages the personal data (which may include sensitive personal data such as biometric information or your precise geolocation information for timeclock tracking, health information, and demographic information like race and ethnicity related to the employment relationship), and we process personal data as a "data processor" or "service provider" (as these terms are defined in applicable data protection laws).

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