Overview

All children deserve access to opportunities that support them to thrive—in school, at home, and in the community. Yet, for millions of US children, their families, and their communities, access to such opportunities is affected by historic and present-day policies and practices that work in reinforcing ways to perpetuate racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic inequities.

Children from low-income families and children of color do not have the same access to high-quality educational opportunities as do their peers. Their educational outcomes are lower. The opportunity and achievement gaps start early and result in much lower rates of college completion and social mobility for these children. While a high-quality education is important across a child’s life, much of the brain’s development occurs during the early years. This makes it an essential time to reduce educational disparities and improve the lives of children.

The Foundation’s work focuses on both California and the United States. The program’s strategy spans birth-to-3rd-grade and recognizes that early learning happens in many settings, both within the formal education system and outside of it—most notably, within families.

View the Education program’s strategic plan.