Sara Plasencia is a Senior Policy Advisor at the Learning Policy Institute, focusing on early childhood education and K–12 education. Plasencia’s research and policy work focuses on improving early learning systems across the country, using evidence-based strategies to advance school integration and equitable access to quality educational opportunities, and aligning learning environments with the science of learning and development. In addition, Plasencia co-leads LPI’s equitable resources and access team, where she oversees projects that address unequal resources in schools.

Previously, Plasencia worked at the Education Trust as a graduate fellow, focusing on increasing educational equity and strengthening advocacy efforts on behalf of students from low-income families and students of color. Before working in education research and policy, Plasencia worked at the Women’s Congressional Policy Institute, where she tracked and analyzed federal legislation that impacts women and their families.

Plasencia received an MA in Public Affairs from the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas, Austin, and holds a BA in Government and Law and Sociology from Lafayette College.