Innovate Public Schools Publications
Innovate publishes school data and reports to inform parents, educators and decision-makers about how local schools are performing. We highlight schools that are excelling, as well as critical problems, and the most effective solutions for improving schools and making sure that every student in Silicon Valley has a world-class school.
Latest Publications
SELA Rising
Fighting for education justice for Latino students in Southeast Los Angeles
2020
Southeast Los Angeles (SELA) is a resilient and rapidly growing region made up of several cities and neighborhoods. More than 60,000 students attend the 89 public schools in SELA, the majority of whom are low-income and Latino.
Road to College
See how parents can help their child stay on track for college
December 2019
Most California students want to attend college, but currently, only half graduate high school with the requirements to go to a public state university. This guide for parents helps you learn how to make sure your child is on track by supporting at home and advocating at school.
Spotlight on African American Students in Los Angeles
See how schools in Los Angeles Unified are serving African American students
April 2019
This data brief provides a snapshot of how schools in Los Angeles Unified are serving African American students based on the latest state test scores in English and math, graduation rates, and UC/CSU eligibility rates. This brief is a collaboration between Innovate Public Schools and the First African Methodist Episcopal Church (FAME).
2019 Top Los Angeles County Public Schools for Underserved Students
Los Angeles County public schools that are achieving excellent results for low-income Latino and low-income African American students.
April 2019
Our annual report examines 2017-18 results in both English and math to identify schools where students from these groups have higher proficiency rates than all students combined in the state. These schools are making significant strides toward closing achievement gaps. Few Los Angeles County schools have achieved this.
2019 Top Bay Area Public Schools for Underserved Students
Bay Area public schools that are achieving excellent results for low-income Latino and low-income African American students.
April 2019
Our annual report examines 2017-18 results in both English and math to identify schools where students from these groups have higher proficiency rates than all students combined in the state. These schools are making significant strides toward closing achievement gaps. Few Bay Area schools have achieved this.
Spotlight on Southeast Los Angeles Unified
See how schools in Southeast Los Angeles Unified are serving Latino students
November 2018
Schools in Southeast Los Angeles Unified serve over 60,000 students. Low-income Latino students make up the large majority of the student population and over a quarter are English learners. Out of 89 schools in Southeast Los Angeles, only nine reach the statewide average in English and math. This brief provides a snapshot of how schools in the southeast area of LAUSD Board District 5 are serving Latino students based on the latest state test scores in English and math, graduation rates, and UC/CSU eligibility rates.
An Advocate’s Guide to Transforming Special Education
Creating Schools Where All Students Can Thrive
August 2018
Most students – both with and without disabilities – can learn rigorous, grade-level content and graduate from high school ready for college or a career of their choice. We prepared this guide to help parents and advocates understand what educational opportunity looks like for students with disabilities. The guide is meant to assist those fighting for systemic change by providing concrete examples, interviews and school profiles that show what’s possible.
2017 TOP BAY AREA PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOR UNDERSERVED STUDENTS
Bay Area public schools that are achieving excellent results for low-income Latino and low-income African American students.
April 2018
Our annual report examines 2016-17 results in both English and math to identify schools where students from these groups have higher proficiency rates than all students combined in the state. These schools are making significant strides toward closing achievement gaps. Few Bay Area schools have achieved this.
A Dream Deferred
How San Francisco schools leave behind the most vulnerable students
October 2017
Among similar districts across California, San Francisco currently ranks near the bottom in learning outcomes for low-income African American students and low-income Latino students. San Francisco’s educational challenges take the form of three contradictions. This report explores these dynamics and highlights a way forward.
Bay Area Data Sheets
See how Latino and African-American students are performing across select Bay Area school districts
June 2018
Review performance at San Francisco Unified, San Jose Unified, Redwood City, Sequoia Union and Ravenswood school districts.
2015-16 Franklin-McKinley Compact Progress Reports
See how Franklin-McKinley schools are tracking towards their goals
May 2017
In 2013, the Franklin-McKinley School District, local charter schools, and several community partners kicked off a collaborative partnership to help boost student and school performance. The progress reports below help educators, community leaders and parents track progress towards their goals.
UPDATED: San Jose Unified Snapshot: Students with Disabilities
An overview of how SJUSD is doing in serving students with disabilities
December 2017
Students with disabilities in all public schools should receive the academic and social-emotional support they need to be prepared for meaningful opportunities in career, college, and life. Right now, the reality is that this is not happening in most places in California.
San Jose Unified Snapshot: Students with Disabilities
An overview of how SJUSD is doing in serving students with disabilities
March 2017
Students with disabilities in all public schools should receive the academic and social-emotional support they need to be prepared for meaningful opportunities in career, college, and life. Right now, the reality is that this is not happening in most places in California.
Top Bay Area Public Schools for Underserved Students
Scores are up overall, but they aren’t rising fast enough for underserved students
November 2016
For the second year in a row, the Bay Area is doing worse than the rest of state
in educating low-income Latino and African American students. Here’s a look at the dozens of local schools proving it doesn’t have to be that way.
How World-class Schools Deliver for All Students
Six practices that drive high-performing schools to success
December 2015
World-class schools are vibrant and inspiring places that set a high bar for all students, and consistently support each and every one to reach his or her full potential. While no two schools are alike, this report outlines six school practices that drive their success that you can put to work right now in your own school community.
Top Bay Area Public Schools for Underserved Students
54 Bay Area public schools that achieved strong results for underserved students
November 2015
The new 2014-2015 state test results show a big gap in student achievement, specifically with low-income African American and Latino students performing far worse than other students. The problem is even more serious in the Bay Area, where local schools tend to trail the state average in test scores for these student groups. This report highlights 54 Bay Area public schools that achieved strong results for underserved students, showing what students can achieve and pointing the way toward how all schools can better support underserved students.
Struggling Schools, Promising Solutions
Silicon Valley’s Lowest-Performing Schools and Solutions for the Students That Attend Them
November 2014
More than 15,000 students in Silicon Valley are currently attending schools that have been persistently low-performing for years. “Struggling Schools, Promising Solutions” calls on local communities, especially superintendents and school boards, to take swift action to find lasting solutions for the students attending the 28 schools singled out in the report. It summarizes research from across the country on how to effectively turn around struggling schools and highlights examples of successful schools and turnaround efforts that can inform and inspire efforts in Silicon Valley.
Broken Promises
The Children Left Behind in Silicon Valley Schools
January 2014
Innovate Public Schools first research report, released in 2013 with an updated edition in 2014, is the first comprehensive look at the performance of public schools and districts in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties, with special attention on the achievement of underserved groups of students. The report found low percentages of college readiness for Latino, African-American, and Pacific Islander students, as well as low-income students and English learners, across the entire region.
About Innovate Public Schools
Innovate Public Schools is a nonprofit organization focused on ensuring that all Bay Area students, including low-income students and students of color, receive an excellent education. We’re building a movement of families, educators, and business and elected leaders who together will make this vision a reality.
We build the capacity of parents and educators to innovate and act together to create world-class public schools, and we publish easy-to-understand school quality data and research that highlights both problems and solutions.