Report Vote-by-Mail and Voter Turnout in the Pandemic Election By Eric McGhee, Jennifer Paluch, Mindy Romero Apr 12, 2021 Many states changed their policies to increase voting by mail and reduce the risk from COVID-19 during the 2020 election. In California, officials took extra steps to facilitate vote-by-mail and accommodate in-person voting. This report analyzes how these policy shifts affected voter turnout in California and the nation.
Report Does Raising High School Graduation Requirements Improve Student Outcomes? By Niu Gao Feb 23, 2021 The shift to distance learning during the COVID-19 crisis exacerbated inequities in California’s K–12 system, adding urgency to an ongoing discussion about the role of high school graduation policy in improving student outcomes. This report shows that more-rigorous graduation requirements can have a positive and equitable impact on college readiness.
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: Criminal Justice By Magnus Lofstrom, Brandon Martin Jan 15, 2021 The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated California’s recent efforts to reduce incarceration. Along with widespread protest after the killing of George Floyd, the pandemic has intensified discussions about policing reforms.
Report California’s Future: Economy By Sarah Bohn, Marisol Cuellar Mejia, Julien Lafortune Jan 15, 2021 California’s economy has been hit hard by COVID-19. Between February and May 2020, the state lost more than 3 million jobs, largely erasing gains from a decade of continuous growth. The economic consequences have been severe but also unevenly distributed, exacerbating economic inequality.
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.
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 A New Era of Student Access at California’s Community Colleges By Marisol Cuellar Mejia, Olga Rodriguez, Hans Johnson Nov 18, 2020 A landmark law (AB 705) has helped tens of thousands of community college students complete the courses necessary for transfer to a four-year college. But student outcomes vary across campuses, and more work is needed to ensure equitable access and completion rates—particularly in math.
Report Higher Education and Economic Opportunity in California By Hans Johnson, Marisol Cuellar Mejia Nov 4, 2020 The pandemic and its economic impact have highlighted longstanding social inequities: low-income and less-educated workers are bearing the brunt of both the virus and the downturn. Now more than ever, policymakers and higher education leaders must find avenues for low income and underrepresented students to access the benefits of a college degree.
Report Water Partnerships between Cities and Farms in Southern California and the San Joaquin Valley By Alvar Escriva-Bou, Gokce Sencan, Ellen Hanak, Robert Wilkinson Oct 28, 2020 The San Joaquin Valley and urban Southern California are worlds apart, but each faces growing water challenges. Both regions’ water futures could be more secure if they take advantage of shared water infrastructure to jointly develop and manage some water supplies.