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  • Accountability, Evaluation, Impact, Reports, Resources, Stats

Evaluation, Accountability, and Impact

Want to make a real impact on education in Los Angeles?

Los Angeles Education Partnership (LAEP) has your back. We give you the tools and information you need to push for stronger accountability and create a more equitable system for all students.

Check out these resources that will help you make your voice heard.

Evaluation of Ready2Teach, an Infant and Toddler Care Teacher Development Program in Los Angeles County.

This report provides insights from the first-year implementation of an infant and toddler care workforce development program. Our study found that effective strategies that a successful apprenticeship program might offer include flexible scheduling, a coaching system that provides timely and personalized support, hands-on experience and direct mentorship, culturally relevant teaching practices that integrate real-life examples and promote a sense of community among participants.


Improving the Infant and Toddler System of Care in Los Angeles: Lessons from the Field.

The vast majority of ECE educators caring for infants and toddlers are immigrant women of color from low-income households, earning poverty-level wages. The need for this study was to learn about the experiences, successes, and challenges that form LA’s infant and toddler care and education landscape. The stories shared with us by parents, teachers, FCC owners, directors, and other leaders – those closest to the system – allowed us to connect ECE advocates with the experiences of our “proximity experts.” Our key goal is to ensure that a highly qualified and diverse workforce is able to thrive in the coming years.

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LaCora Stephens

Marketing and Communications

LaCora is a seasoned communications professional with a passion for using multimedia storytelling to empower movements for social justice and equality. For over 13 years, she has honed her skills as a versatile multimedia director, overseeing media operations across diverse organizations, including the NAACP Beverly Hills-Hollywood Branch and The Shirley Chisholm Education Foundation. Her deep understanding of the education and equity landscape fuels her creative vision, allowing her to craft impactful narratives that resonate with audiences.

With strategic communication​ and collaboration, LaCora excels in developing and executing compelling​ multimedia campaigns that not only raise​ awareness of critical issues but also​ inspire action and drive meaningful change. Her proficiency in concept​ development, production execution, and​ team leadership ensures projects are​ delivered with exceptional quality. Furthermore, LaCora fosters strong​ relationships with internal and external​ stakeholders, cultivating partnerships​ that maximize campaign reach and impact.

LaCora's educational foundation began with a Bachelor of Science in Theatre Education from Florida A&M University. She then pursued a master’s degree in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) from Alliant University of San Diego. This passion for storytelling, fueled by her background in education, translates to her belief in the power of shared narratives. Her work in this area was recognized through her selection as a Women in Film Mentee and film director for Viola Davis’ sponsored film showcase, Diversity in Cannes. Now, LaCora leverages her love of storytelling and commitment to educational equity in her role leading marketing and communications for Los Angeles Education Partnership, while also serving on the board of the Pasadena African American Film Foundation.

Eric Barela, Ph.D.

Senior Consultant, Raya Cooper Impact Consulting

Dr. Eric Barela has worked as a measurement & evaluation professional for over 2 decades, helping organizations to better understand and act on their social impact. He’s currently a Senior Consultant with Raya Cooper Impact Consulting and previously worked at Salesforce, where he led efforts to measure the social impact of the company’s work with nonprofits and educational institutions across the globe. He began his career working with the Los Angeles Unified School District and with the nonprofit, Partners in School Innovation. Eric previously served on the Board of the American Evaluation Association and currently serves on the Editorial Advisory Board of the American Journal of Evaluation.

Eric grew up in East LA and was educated in the Montebello Unified School District. He holds a Ph.D. in education from UCLA. He loves a good road trip, with his husband serving as trusty navigator.