INTERNSHIP DETAILS

Russlynn ALi Summer Fellow (A-G Monitoring)

CompanyThe Education Trust
LocationOakland
Work ModeOn Site
PostedFebruary 26, 2026
Internship Information
Core Responsibilities
The Fellow will conduct a landscape analysis of Los Angeles County districts regarding A-G coursework as default curriculum, synthesizing findings from focus groups and interviews to identify successes and barriers. Responsibilities also include developing policy recommendations and documenting promising practices in a final report and presentation.
Internship Type
fellow
Company Size
363
Visa Sponsorship
No
Language
English
Working Hours
38 hours
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About The Company
EdTrust promotes high academic achievement for all students at all levels—pre-kindergarten through college. Our goal is to close the gaps in opportunity and achievement that consign far too many young people—especially those from low-income families or who are Black, Latino, or American Indian—to lives on the margins of the American mainstream. 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 evaluate every policy, every practice, and every dollar spent through a single lens: what is right for students. 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. We participate actively in national and state policy debates, bringing lessons learned from on-the-ground work and from unflinching data analyses to build the case for policies that will help all students and schools reach high levels of achievement. Our Core Beliefs: We believe in the power of education to close the gaps that separate low-income students and students of color from other young Americans. We believe that schools and colleges, appropriately organized, can help virtually all students master the knowledge they need to succeed. We believe long-standing gaps in opportunity, achievement, and attainment have roots inside and outside of schools. And though we know these gaps are stubborn, we also know they are not inevitable. We believe a strong education improves the lives of young people, is vital to sustaining our democracy, and strengthens America.
About the Role

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION AND THE OPPORTUNITY

 

EdTrust-West seeks an A-G Monitoring Fellow for its 9th cohort of Russlynn Ali Summer Fellows for 2026. The Russlynn Ali Fellowship program, named in honor of the founding executive director of EdTrust-West, aims to support people entering policy and advocacy leadership by laying the foundation for current and future policymakers, researchers, and advocates to become lifelong leaders within California’s P-16 education ecosystem. Fellows will gain exposure to the issues, policies, and politics of the current California landscape through a cohort experience and will work on a project with an EdTrust-West team member to advance educational equity and racial justice.

 

The A-G Monitoring Fellow will support and inform EdTrust-West's Higher Education Policy Team by conducting a landscape scan of all districts in Los Angeles County to identify which have established A-G coursework as the default curriculum. Through the fellowship, the A-G Monitoring Fellow will produce a report that includes state local policy recommendations, as well as a school district bright spot. The Fellow will report to the Senior Policy Analyst on the Higher Education Policy Team.  

 

EdTrust-West, the California-based office of EdTrust which is headquartered in Washington, DC, is committed to advancing policies and practices to dismantle the racial and economic barriers embedded in the U.S. education system. Through our research and advocacy, EdTrustimproves equity in education from transitional kindergarten through college, engages diverse communities dedicated to equity and justice, and increases political and public will to build an education system where all students will thrive.

 

This role will be based in Oakland, CA or remotely from June 15 through August 21 for a term of approximately 10 weeks. Earlier start/end dates will be considered on a case-by-case basis to be determined by the students’ and academic school schedules. Fellows must reside in the state of California and report to the EdTrust-West Oakland, CA office within three days of hire for employment verification will be expected to travel to the Oakland office 1-2 times during the summer term, June 16 and August 18.

 

 

ABOUT THE INTERN ROLE

 

Major responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

  • Conduct a landscape analysis of all districts in Los Angeles County, identifying which have established A-G as the default curriculum.
  • Conduct focus groups and interviews with students, high school educators, and administrators.
  • Synthesize findings from focus groups, interviews, and landscape data to identify A-G curriculum successes, perceptions, barriers, and implementation challenges.  
  • Identify and document one school district “bright spot” and highlight  promising practices.  
  • Develop a written summary of findings and create a presentation deck to share key insights.
  • Develop local, statewide, and budget-related policy recommendations based on the research.

 

 

IDEAL SKILLS AND CHARACTERISTICS

 

  • Shared belief in Ed Trust’s mission and a commitment to improving educational equity, with a focus on racial equity
  • Organized, motivated, and detail-oriented  
  • Ability to work independently  
  • Adaptive, collaborative, and open to giving and receiving feedback 
  • Demonstrated expertise in A-G coursework and related policy
  • Experience working with similar projects and working effectively with diverse education stakeholders  
  • Direct experience in a school setting where A-G was a graduation requirement or the default curriculum 

 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

 

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications and experience:

 

  • At least a high school diploma or GED and currently enrolled in or recently graduated from an undergraduate program in a relevant field
  • General knowledge of TK-12 and/or higher education policy  
  • Experience engaging in research and conducting a landscape scan  
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills, and the ability to communicate with diverse stakeholders

 

COMPENSATION

 

The salary for this position is $26 per hour for 37.5 hours/week. Sick leave is accrued in this role.

 

QUALIFED CANDIDATES, PLEASE APPLY

 

To apply: Please submit your updated resume and cover letter in ADP by the deadline of March 18th.

 

The Education Trust is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes candidates from diverse backgrounds.

 

 

 

 

Key Skills
Policy AnalysisAdvocacyLandscape ScanData SynthesisReport WritingPresentation SkillsStakeholder EngagementA-G Coursework ExpertiseResearchOrganizationDetail OrientationIndependent WorkCollaborationFeedback ReceptionPolicy Recommendation Development
Categories
EducationSocial ServicesGovernment & Public SectorScience & Research
Russlynn ALi Summer Fellow (A-G Monitoring) - InternshipsHQ