UCLA Center for the Transformation of Schools Set to Partner with the American Institutes for Research on the West Comprehensive Center, a grant from the U.S. Dept. of Education
The UCLA Center for the Transformation of Schools (CTS) has been selected by The American Institutes for Research (AIR) as a partner in the West Comprehensive Center awarded by the U.S. Department of Education that will support national, state, and local efforts to address educational challenges and help students thrive. The centers are part of the U.S. Department of Education-funded Comprehensive Center Network, which provides states with capacity-building services and technical assistance to improve teaching and learning.
UCLA CTS will develop a series of four state-specific fact sheets—one each for California, Arizona, Utah, and Nevada—synthesizing the scale, distribution, and needs of students experiencing homelessness. Collectively, these fact sheets will equip state education agencies, local education agencies, service providers, policymakers, and community partners with data and information about the urgency and complexity of student homelessness in their respective states. The series will also provide evidence-informed recommendations tailored specifically to each state to guide policy development, resource allocation, and programmatic decision-making.
“Housing insecurity is a critical issue impacting the learning of over 1.4 million students across the United States,” said Joseph Bishop, principal investigator at UCLA for the initiative and executive director of the Center. “Through this collaboration, UCLA CTS will translate state data into clear, actionable insights that reflect the real conditions students and families face across the Southwest.”
“This partnership with AIR and the U.S. Department of Education presents a unique opportunity to help strengthen state and local capacity to prioritize the academic success of students experiencing homelessness,” added Bishop. “We aim to support policymakers, educators, and community partners in making more informed decisions that promote learning, educational stability and opportunity for some of the most vulnerable young people in our education system.”
Media Contact:
Geneva Sum: gsum@gseis.ucla.edu
John McDonald: jmcdonald@gseis.ucla.edu