Report Distance Learning Strategies in California Schools By Niu Gao, Laura Hill, Julien Lafortune Apr 14, 2021 Learning gaps are a growing concern after a year of online instruction. During the pandemic, uneven distribution of resources may have widened gaps and led to learning loss for some students. Our survey outlines how California school districts addressed remote learning and their strategies to improve instruction in the 2020–21 school year.
Report Building California’s Cradle-to-Career Data System By Jacob Jackson Apr 7, 2021 A yearlong collaboration among educational institutions, state agencies, advocates, and researchers has led to a plan for a statewide system that connects K–12, higher education, workforce, and social services data. This report outlines how this shared knowledge base can benefit California—and key considerations for ensuring the system’s long-term success.
Fact Sheet Access to Safe Drinking Water in California By Caitrin Chappelle, Joy Collins, Ellen Hanak Apr 2, 2021 Not every Californian has access to safe and reliable drinking water. Small communities relying on groundwater are most likely to have chronic water quality problems.
Statewide Survey PPIC Statewide Survey: Californians and Their Government By Mark Baldassare, Dean Bonner, Rachel Lawler, Deja Thomas Jan 31, 2021 Key findings from the current survey include a majority approve of Governor Newsom’s job performance and his handling of COVID-19—but the state gets low marks on the distribution of the vaccine. Two in three Californians now say they would definitely or probably get the vaccine when it is available to them; there are disparities across racial/ethnic groups. Overwhelming majorities say the state is in an economic recession; a majority say their personal finances are in fair or poor shape. Strong majorities approve of President Biden and his handling of the pandemic.
Report Assessing Teen Well-Being and Mental Health after the Medi-Cal Expansion By Paulette Cha Jan 27, 2021 Through the Medi-Cal expansion, California invested in adult mental health—but did teens also benefit? This report examines trends in adolescent mental health and maltreatment, and investigates disparities around race and immigration status. These topics weigh heavily as the strain of the pandemic on home life raises concerns over teen well-being.
Report California’s Future: Safety Net By Caroline Danielson, Shannon McConville, Paulette Cha Jan 15, 2021 The COVID-19 pandemic has underlined the importance of California’s safety net, which helps millions of low-income adults and children meet basic needs. It has also highlighted disparities in health and economic well-being across racial/ethnic groups.
Report California’s Future By Ellen Hanak, Laura Hill, Hans Johnson, Caroline Danielson ... Jan 15, 2021 This multi-topic publication highlights the state’s most pressing long-term policy challenges in several key areas: criminal justice, economy, education, safety net, and water and a changing climate.
Statewide Survey PPIC Statewide Survey: Californians and Their Economic Well-Being By Mark Baldassare, Dean Bonner, Rachel Lawler, Alyssa Dykman Dec 9, 2020 Key findings from the current survey include six in ten Californians think that when today’s children grow up, they will be worse off financially than their parents. About seven in ten Californians are still either very or somewhat worried that someone in their family will get sick from coronavirus, while two in three worry that the pandemic will hurt their finances. In the past year, 43 percent of households with incomes under $40,000 had someone with reduced work hours or pay. A majority of Democrats and most Republicans support increased public funding for job training so that more workers have the skills needed for today’s jobs.
Report Income Inequality and Economic Opportunity in California By Sarah Bohn, Dean Bonner, Julien Lafortune, Tess Thorman Dec 7, 2020 The current recession threatens to deepen California’s economic divide and further reduce opportunities for low-income families, communities of color, and women. State policy actions could promote an equitable recovery and address widening income inequality.
Report The Importance of CalFresh and CalWORKs in Children’s Early Years By Caroline Danielson, Tess Thorman, Sarah Bohn Dec 3, 2020 When a crisis disrupts finances, California families may turn to CalFresh and CalWORKs. About half of children access one or both of these safety net programs by age five. Knowing when children may participate, and for how long, can help policymakers address barriers to access.