Report Making College Possible for Low-Income Students: Grant and Scholarship Aid in California By Hans Johnson Oct 15, 2014 California’s economic future depends on improving college enrollment and completion. But college costs are rising and a majority of students in California’s public K–12 schools are from low-income families. Policymakers can pursue a number of strategies to make college more affordable and accessible. This research was supported with funding from the College Access Foundation of California and the Donald Bren Foundation.
Report Common Core State Standards in California: Evaluating Local Implementation and Student Outcomes By Niu Gao, Julien Lafortune Sep 25, 2019 California adopted the Common Core State Standards to prepare K–12 students for college and careers—and to narrow longstanding achievement gaps. Most districts have implemented the standards, and student outcomes have improved modestly. But progress has been uneven. State tracking and support could help districts implement the standards successfully.
Report Fiscal Realities: Budget Tradeoffs in California Government By Jon Sonstelie, Tracy Gordon, Patrick Murphy, Ping Zhang Jan 31, 2007 The authors of Fiscal Realities: Budget Tradeoffs in California Government examine California’s entire revenue and spending picture in a way different from traditional, program-based analyses. Through a broad budgetary lens, and by looking at years of public opinion surveys, they evaluate what it would take to make Californians’ stated desires for their state a reality. In many cases, doing so would be extremely expensive. Reducing class size so that teacher-student ratios match ratios in other states would cost California governments an additional $15 billion per year. What services would Californians be willing to forego to pay for this? The report should help spark a broad public conversation about the tradeoffs Californians make now and those they might have to make to attain the kind of California they want.
Report Remedial Education Reforms at California’s Community Colleges: Early Evidence on Placement and Curricular Reforms By Olga Rodriguez, Marisol Cuellar Mejia, Hans Johnson Aug 15, 2018 California’s community colleges are in the midst of a major transformation of developmental education. Several colleges have been experimenting with placement and curricular reforms for some time. An examination of the efforts of these early implementers can shed light on the potential impact of system-wide reforms on student outcomes.
Report Test-driving California’s Election Reforms By Eric McGhee, Daniel Krimm Sep 13, 2012 In the June 2012 primary, California tested two important electoral changes: new legislative and congressional districts drawn by an independent citizens commission and a "top two" primary system. The results suggest the reforms produced some changes—in particular, more open seats and more competition. However, there was also a great deal of continuity with recent elections: most candidates endorsed by a major party and all incumbents are advancing to the fall election and partisan outcomes were broadly in line with what might have been expected under the old primary system. Over time, the reforms may produce more radical change, but the first step on the road of reform has been a small one.
California Economic Policy, Report Day Labor in the Golden State By Arturo Gonzalez Jul 25, 2007 Situated on busy street corners and in front of home improvement stores, day labor markets are highly visible. Yet little is known about day laborers themselves—their demographic characteristics, economic outcomes, or working conditions. Using data from the National Day Labor Survey, this report examines the day labor population and looks at the ways local governments are responding to the presence of day labor markets in their communities.
California Counts, Report Educational Resources and Outcomes in California, by Race and Ethnicity By Deborah Reed Feb 23, 2005 Examines family and school resources, student outcomes, and public policy initiatives affecting California’s students from early childhood through university. Describes several factors potentially contributing to racial and ethnic gaps in college completion.
Report Expanding California’s Electorate: Will Recent Reforms Increase Voter Turnout? By Eric McGhee Jan 22, 2014 To address declines in voter turnout, California has adopted same-day registration—so voters can register and cast ballots on the same day—and implemented online registration. A proposal to relax the deadline for returning mail ballots is also being considered. These changes are not likely to significantly increase turnout, but two of them either decrease or add few administrative costs. This research was supported with funding from the S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation.
Report Aquatic Ecosystem Stressors in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta By Ellen Hanak, Jay Lund, William Fleenor, Jeffrey Mount ... Jun 14, 2012 This report looks at five broad categories of stressors on the Delta’s native fishes, examining causes of stress, allocations of responsibility, and options for management. This research was supported with funding from the S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation. Several companion reports contain related findings: Costs of Ecosystem Management Actions for the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta (Medellín-Azuara et al. 2013) assesses costs of water management actions. Integrated Management of Delta Stressors: Institutional and Legal Options (Gray et al. 2013) lays out proposals for institutional reform of science, management, and regulation. Scientist and Stakeholder Views on the Delta Ecosystem (Hanak et al. 2013) presents detailed results of the two surveys conducted by the report’s authors. Stress Relief: Prescriptions for a Healthier Delta Ecosystem (Hanak et al. 2013) summarizes the overall research project and the recommendations it generated. Where the Wild Things Aren’t: Making the Delta a Better Place for Native Species (Moyle et al. 2012) outlines a realistic long-term vision for achieving a healthier ecosystem.
Report Regulating Marijuana in California By Patrick Murphy, John Carnevale Apr 6, 2016 If California legalizes recreational marijuana, the state should develop a single highly regulated marijuana market—for medical and recreational uses. Key policy goals will also need to be addressed—including limiting the illegal market, protecting public health and safety, and raising revenue for the state
