What if alternative and continuation schools weren’t “less than,” but gateways to college access for all students?

In this episode of Shattering Inequities, Dr. Robin Avelar La Salle sits down with Ilsa Garza Gonzalez, Superintendent of the Fallbrook Union High School District, to explore how bold leadership and systemic redesign can dismantle long-standing inequities in education.

Ilsa shares how Fallbrook challenged the inevitability assumption—that certain student groups are destined for lower outcomes—by removing structural barriers, rethinking adult mental models, and implementing a trimester system that expands access to A-G coursework, accelerates credit recovery, and keeps postsecondary options open for every student.

This conversation dives deep into:

• Why A-G access should extend to continuation and alternative schools

• How “new tracking” hides inside well-intentioned systems

• Leadership strategies for changing systems without waiting for beliefs to shift

• Using data as a story—not a weapon—to drive improvement

• Lessons learned from leading through COVID and beyond

🎙️ Episode Title: Alternative School A-G For All🎧 Podcast: Shattering Inequities👩‍🏫 Host: Dr. Robin Avelar La Salle🎓 Guest: Ilsa Garza Gonzalez, Superintendent, Fallbrook UHSD

📺 Subscribe on YouTube:http://www.youtube.com/@ShatteringInequitiesPodcast

If you’re a superintendent, principal, district leader, or educator committed to equity, access, and real outcomes—this episode is for you.

00:00 Introduction to Shattering Inequities Podcast00:35 Meet the Host: Dr. Robin Avelar La Salle00:56 Podcast Goals: Inform, Inspire, and Research01:46 Introducing Ilsa Garza Gonzalez02:59 Fallbrook UHSD Demographics and Challenges05:33 Innovative Equity Strategies and Achievements08:37 Continuation High School Success Stories12:41 Ilsa’s Personal Journey and Educational Philosophy19:45 Opportunity Gaps vs. Outcome Gaps25:15 Letting Go of “Pet Projects”25:57 Leading Through COVID26:50 Implementing the Trimester System27:32 Meeting Diverse Student Needs30:03 Credit Recovery and College Access31:43 Leadership and Systemic Change42:22 Using Data to Drive Equity44:42 Final Reflections