Laura Pryor (she/her/hers)
Research Director
Laura Pryor, Research Director, conducts research to strengthen California’s early care and education system. Foundational to this work, Laura produces analyses to support expanding opportunities for families to access the early care and education programs that best meet their needs. Laura’s work strives to center priorities most urgent for families and child care providers to contribute to an equitable early care and education system.
Prior to joining the Budget Center in 2023, Laura was an Associate Director at Social Policy Research Associates in the Equity Education and Community Change Division where she led multiple research and evaluation projects. Laura was also a middle school English Language Arts teacher in New Orleans, Louisiana. She earned a bachelor’s degree in urban studies from the University of California, Berkeley, a master’s degree in urban and regional planning from the University of California, Los Angeles, and a Ph.D. in quantitative methods and evaluation from the University of California, Berkeley’s Graduate School of Education.
Laura is a lifelong Californian. She grew up in Southern California and currently resides in the Bay Area. Outside of work, Laura enjoys running and biking on the Bay Area trail systems, visiting new restaurants, and spending time with family.
meet the expert: Laura Pryor
Read more about Laura's story and the work she's doing at the Budget Center in our Q&A.
Recent posts by Laura Pryor
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Report
Disrupting Disparities: Ending the Black Women Wage Gap in California
Women in California deserve the opportunity to thrive and access the same economic opportunities as their male counterparts. When women thrive, their families and communities prosper. However, women in California continuously encounter structural barriers that prevent them from doing so. Black women and Black single mothers in California, in particular, regularly confront policies rooted in …Poverty & Inequality -
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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 -
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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 -
Fact Sheet
Wage Disparities for Latinas in California: A Continuing Concern
key takeaway The wage gap for Latinas in California remains alarmingly wide. Systemic barriers in education, employment, and caregiving responsibilities contribute to persistent inequality. When women thrive, their families and communities prosper. Despite decades of progress in job opportunities and earnings, working families still struggle to afford basic needs. This challenge is significantly worse for …Poverty & Inequality -
Report
California’s Poverty Rate Soars to Alarmingly High Levels in 2023
key takeaway California’s poverty rate has increased significantly, with disproportionate impacts on Black and Latinx residents. This alarming trend highlights the urgent need for federal and state policymakers to implement robust anti-poverty measures, such as strengthening the Child Tax Credit, Earned Income Tax Credit, and SNAP program. California’s poverty rate increased to 18.9% in 2023, …Poverty & Inequality
