Justice Matters’ mission is to bring about racially just schools by developing and promoting education policy rooted in community vision.

Education policy will promote racial justice in schools only if it is shaped by a powerful vision for what such schools look like. Such a vision must be rooted in an understanding that low-income communities of color have wisdom, values and perspectives that contribute a great deal to racially just, high-quality schools. Such a vision must embrace the aspirations that low-income communities of color have for their children and communities. And such a vision must be informed by research and scholarship that is grounded in an analysis of institutional racism and that is conducted by scholars of color. When our school system is shaped by such a vision, it will provide low-income students of color with the education they deserve and will provide all students with a more relevant, holistic, compassionate, and profound learning experience.

Justice Matters calls our vision for education “REAL Education for Minds & Souls,” or “REAL Education” for short.

REAL education is poetry and scholarship, hopes and dreams, numbers and letters, technology and literature, arts and crafts, fútbol and basketball, running and jumping, thinking and learning. REAL Education is children, families, elders and communities….
Drinking knowledge like water….

REAL Education is a vision for education that goes beyond the limitations of our current public education system which doesn’t value our multi cultural, multi-generational and multi-lingual communities.

REAL Education is based on values of racial and economic justice, and therefore, devotes explicit attention to making sure that schools prepare students of color, immigrant students, and low-income students for all aspects of their future.

[ Click here to view complete vision ]

Research & Policy Work
Justice Matters conducts research and policy analysis both to uncover educational injustice, and also to investigate places that are providing a racially just and meaningful education to low-income students of color. Our research and analysis leads to the development of policy that will bring about the kind of schools that communities of color dream of for their children.

To give input into Justice Matters policy thinking, click here.

Media/Public Education
Justice Matters use public education strategies to build hope and excitement about racially just schools, showing how wonderful schools for low-income communities and communities of color can be. We also create media and educational materials about the policies that will spread these schools throughout the system. We use public education strategies to create outlets for community members to express their voices and perspectives about what our schools should look like and accomplish.

Campaigns & Action
Justice Matters develops and provides support for campaigns in collaboration with organized community groups of parents, youth, and teachers throughout the state of California. These campaigns focus on winning changes in school district or state policy. We also work with coalitions, advocacy organizations, politicians, and policy makers to push for policy change.

Policy Analyst

Position Summary

The Policy Analyst must have a strong understanding of the various layers of racial justice policy issues that impact students of color in public schools. A strong background and experience in policy research, development and advocacy are necessary—a minimum of 5 years experience with policy, advocacy, research and/or education reform is necessary. The analyst will work across Justice Matters (JM) projects, thus must have the facility to grasp a range of policy and research areas and draw out places of synergy. The analyst will be critical in moving our mission forward by providing policy and research analysis that supports JM's policy agenda, program development and public education and communication goals. The analyst will provide program support in the form of policy development, research, critical analysis, writing, knowledge management, project management, and public education. The pace of work is fast, as the analyst will be expected to translate research and analysis into products for various audiences within a changing quarterly policy agenda that aims to influence national level discussion. The analyst will be expected to work in a collaborative work culture that strives to put into practice in the office and in the field the racial justice values that guide our mission.

Key Responsibilities:

Additional responsibility areas may develop or current ones may change as our organizational plan adjusts to help best meet our mission. Key responsibilities include:

• Supporting multiple projects with policy and research analysis by tracking latest developments in policy issue areas, directing idea development for JM policy projects, and investigating institutional, governmental or political contexts of policy areas;
• Developing material that communicates JM policy values and agenda by translating policy and education research into memo’s, reports, policy recommendations, or policy briefs among other types of products;
• Making recommendations based on qualitative and quantitative analysis of policy and research findings that will be used for public education/communications and for project development and direction;
• Managing policy and research analysis projects so that records of organizational knowledge can be easily accessed by current and future staff and timelines can be met; and
• Contributing to the overall health of the organization by forming part of the JM team, meeting organizational expectations, and working in line with our mission and values
• Managing communications budget.

Qualifications

• Demonstrate strong analytic and creative thinking—prior experience in using these skills in education policy work a plus
• Qualitative and quantitative research and analysis skills required—applied for a minimum of five years
• Passionate about equity and strong commitment to racial justice issues, especially as they relate to education
• Knowledge of education reform
• Prior experience with planning and managing multiple projects
• Demonstrate strong writing skills
• Basic computer skills

Education

• Graduate degree in education, public policy, or a related field preferred
• Undergraduate degree with heavy emphasis on social science research and/or professional experience with social science research since degree attainment

Hours

• Full -time

Salary and Benefits

• Competitive salary (determined by relevant experience)
• Health benefits
• Paid vacation and sick time

How to Apply

Please submit a cover letter* and resume via email to: jobs@justicematters.org

Applications must be received by November 6, 2009 and will only be accepted via email at the address above.

*The cover letter should address why you are interested in the position and how your professional experience matches the job qualifications.

Justice Matters is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. People of color are encouraged to apply.

-Wade Nobles