Erik Saucedo (he/him/his)
Senior Policy Analyst
Erik Saucedo, Senior Policy Analyst, conducts research and analyses with the goal of improving education systems so that all students have the resources and opportunities to thrive. Erik supports the Budget Center's work by focusing on equitable funding of K-12 and higher education and the impacts that race and gender-neutral policies have on students and their families. Through this work, Erik also develops recommendations for state policy.
Before joining the Budget Center in 2020, Erik was a tutoring program coordinator with the Pipeline Project while also completing a master’s degree in education at the University of Washington. Prior to graduate school, Erik was a high school Spanish teacher with Sacramento City Unified School District. Erik earned an associate’s degree at Hartnell Community College and a bachelor’s degree in cultural anthropology from the University of California, Davis. Erik also completed a teacher preparation program at California State University, Sacramento.
As a first-generation college graduate from an immigrant background, Erik values the power of education and has dedicated his career to ensuring that students like him have opportunities to get a college degree. Erik’s favorite self-care activities are running and playing guitar.
meet the expert: Erik Saucedo
Read more about Erik's story and the work he's doing at the Budget Center in our Q&A.
Recent posts by Erik Saucedo
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Issue Brief
Dual Language Learners Make Up Half of Preschoolers: What That Means for California
key takeaway Nearly half of California’s preschoolers are dual language learners, yet inconsistent and short-term funding limits statewide support. Sustained investments in professional development for educators are essential to meet these children’s linguistic and cultural needs while strengthening retention and system-wide collaboration. Multilingual children are one of California’s greatest assets, their skills enrich communities and …Child Care & Preschool -
Report
Trends in Transitional Kindergarten Enrollment in California
key takeaway TK enrollment in California has doubled since 2021-22, with growth across all student groups and high-poverty schools. To ensure all children benefit, the state must address disparities in access for students of color and those from low-income families. Early childhood education is foundational for young children’s development and their long-term outcomes, and preschool …Education -
Report
How California Is Expanding Transitional Kindergarten
key takeaway California is expanding Transitional Kindergarten to all four-year-old children by 2025-26, supported by state investments to improve access, staffing, and equity in public preschool programs. Early learning is foundational for young children’s development, and preschool programs provide essential opportunities for 3- and 4-year-olds. Recognizing this, in 2021, California policymakers embarked on a significant …Education -
Report
Invirtiendo en Familias: Expandiendo el Acceso al Cuidado Infantil en el Condado de Monterey
Read this publication in English. A las familias de California les cuesta un gran esfuerzo poder pagar el cuidado infantil, lo cual exacerba los desafíos del costo de vida en un entorno de tasas de pobreza elevadísimas. Específicamente, si no cuenta con acceso a cuidado infantil subsidiado por el estado, una madre soltera en California …Child Care & Preschool -
Report
Investing in Families: Expanding Child Care Access in Monterey County
key takeaway California families face steep child care costs, with a single mother spending 61% of her income without subsidized care. In 2022, only 11% of eligible children received state subsidized care, highlighting a critical gap. Expanding subsidized spaces and tailoring solutions to diverse local needs, as seen in Monterey County, are essential for addressing …Child Care & Preschool
