We’re breaking barriers.
EEC builds a movement of power within communities of color to advocate for an education system that promotes equity.
For over 12 years, we’ve dedicated ourselves to revolutionizing education so that a child’s race and zip code aren’t the determining factors in defining their success.
The EEC is founded, led, and staffed by people of color. We believe our state cannot and will not end the opportunity gap without hearing the voices of black and brown people on education issues, and we are the platform for these voices.
Our Mission & Vision
Eliminating the opportunity gap and promoting success – birth through career – for all children of color in Washington State.
We envision a future where the opportunity gap is eliminated in Washington State – a future where every child of color in Washington achieves success from birth through their careers.
Our History
The Equity in Education Coalition was founded in August of 2012 out of a deeply felt concern that the McCleary v. State of Washington ruling would justify even deeper cuts to the state’s safety net, housing, healthcare, early learning, and higher education. Since the 2008 recession, the WA State legislature has cut over $10 Billion dollars from education. The EEC was created to ensure that, in fulfilling its responsibility through the McCleary lawsuit, the legislature would not only bring education funding to pre-recession spending but would also invest in an equitable and fair funding structure for schools throughout the state.
- 2012The Equity in Education Coalition is founded.
- 2013Our first legislative session, the EEC successfully advocates for a $900 million investment in the Learning Assistance Program
- 2015The EEC receives a 2 year $100,000 seed grant from the Gates Foundation
- 2016The EEC begins to research the efficacy of the prototypical funding model used to fund schools in Washington state
- 2020The COVID-19 pandemic requires EEC to pivot to a rapid response organization
- 2021EEC writes the Digital Navigation program for the Washington State Department of Commerce
- 2023EEC receives $21 million from the state to run the Digital Navigation and Literacy program
- 2024The EEC rebrands to the Equity in Education Center and gets a new logo to match.