Statewide Survey PPIC Statewide Survey: Special Survey of Los Angeles By Mark Baldassare Mar 17, 2004 This survey – the second in an annual series of PPIC surveys of Los Angeles County – is a special edition of the PPIC Statewide Survey, which periodically includes regional and special-theme surveys. The intent of this survey is to provide an objective, in-depth profile of the public opinions, policy preferences, and economic, social, and political trends in Los Angeles County – the most populous county in the nation. Some findings of the current survey Deep racial and political divides separate the residents of Los Angeles: 86% of whites, 85% of Asians, and 80% of Latinos say they are satisfied with the community they live in, while 33% of blacks are dissatisfied. A majority of Asians (52%) and Latinos (50%) think the county is headed in the right direction, but whites (43%) and blacks (36%) are less optimistic. A much higher share of Republicans (80%) than Democrats (45%) approve of the job Arnold Schwarzenegger is doing as governor. Democrats are much more worried than Republicans that the state’s budget deficit will lead to severe cuts in K-12 education (Democrats 76%, Republicans 43%), health and human services (Democrats 74%, Republicans 36%), and government services such as parks and police (Democrats 63%, Republicans 29%). Majorities of Democrats would be willing to pay higher taxes to maintain current funding in these three areas (K-12 education 66%, health and human services 56%, local government services, 54%), whereas a majority of Republicans would vote against such taxes (K-12 education 52%, health and human services 62%, local government services 56%).
Report California’s Transition to the Common Core State Standards: The State’s Role in Local Capacity Building By Patrick Murphy, Paul Warren Apr 15, 2014 The Common Core State Standards are changing California classrooms. They are also altering the state’s role in K–12 education. This report compares California’s implementation strategy to those of other key states and outlines new ways for the California Department of Education to help districts improve student outcomes. This research is supported with funding from the Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund.
Statewide Survey PPIC Statewide Survey: Californians and Their Government By Mark Baldassare, Dean Bonner, Alyssa Dykman, Lunna Lopes Dec 12, 2018 Key findings from the current survey: Four in ten Californians approve of Governor-Elect Newsom’s plans and priorities; half say they want him to take a different policy direction from Governor Brown. Majorities see new state spending on universal health coverage and free community college as high priorities; fewer prioritize high-speed rail. Californians view jobs and the economy as the most important priority for the state’s future; many believe that children will be worse off than their parents.
Report Higher Education in California By Patrick Murphy, Sarah Bohn, Marisol Cuellar Mejia, Kevin Cook ... Oct 1, 2019 Higher education is a key driver of economic growth and individual opportunity in California. Substantial gains in college enrollment and graduation rates—particularly among historically underrepresented groups—can help boost economic mobility, increase tax revenue, and reduce pressure on the social safety net.
Report Federal Formula Grants: Student Aid and Higher Education By Tim Ransdell, Shervin Boloorian Sep 6, 2005 The federal government has become the primary source of postsecondary education support for U.S. college students. The Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA), last amended in 1998, authorizes a disparate array of programs that span various federal government offices, employing multiple delivery mechanisms. Programs help make college attendance affordable for low-income students, assist targeted institutions, encourage college-bound high school students, and enhance K-12 teacher training programs at U.S. universities. This report examines HEA’s myriad components—including grants, loans, and other forms of aid—from a California perspective, with an emphasis on California’s share of federal resources. Its focuses primarily on federal activities that provide funds to recipient individuals or institutions using statutorily-prescribed mathematical constructs.
Report From Blueprint to Reality: San Diego’s Education Reforms By Julian Betts, Andrew C. Zau, Kevin King Oct 5, 2005 During the 1999-2000 and 2000-2001 school years, the San Diego Unified School District introduced a focused set of reforms to improve San Diego students’ reading and literacy skills called the Blueprint for Student Success. The changes the district implemented included new teaching materials, double- and even triple-length English classes where necessary, additional teacher training, and more classroom time for reading practice and instruction. This report presents the first student-level evaluation of that effort and shows that the Blueprint reforms in large part accomplished what they set out to do: reading scores at elementary and middle-school level improved among students who participated in Blueprint activities, and achievement gaps among different racial and ethnic, language, and socioeconomic groups narrowed.
Report Financing Higher Education Capital Projects By Patrick Murphy, Radhika Mehlotra, Kevin Cook Dec 5, 2018 Aging infrastructure should be a major priority as California seeks to produce more college-educated workers. Modernizing and maintaining facilities at the state’s community colleges, CSU, and UC could cost billions of dollars, with each system facing its own unique challenges.
Report Pathways to Fluency: Examining the Link Between Language Reclassification Policies and Student Success By Julian Betts, Andrew C. Zau, Laura Hill, Karen Bachofer May 6, 2014 As California overhauls K–12 standards, testing, and funding, questions about how and when English Learner students should be reclassified as English proficient take on new urgency. This report looks at the links between reclassification policies and academic success in the state’s two largest school districts. This research was supported with funding from the Donald Bren Foundation and the Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund.
Occasional Paper, Report Have Inflows of Immigrants Diminished Natives’ Educational Attainment? A Review By Julian Betts Mar 11, 1999 Paper based on testimony presented before the U.S. House Judiciary Committee, Subcommittee on Immigration and Claims, March 1999.
Report Dual Enrollment in California By Olga Rodriguez, Niu Gao Oct 18, 2021 Dual enrollment provides opportunities for high school students to take college courses and earn college credit. The pandemic has fueled a nationwide surge in participation, and equity-centered legislation has raised dual enrollment’s profile in California. As dual enrollment expands, state leaders can take steps to promote equitable access and outcomes.
