Policy Brief Policy Brief: How Did Pandemic Recovery Funding Support California Community Colleges? By Olga Rodriguez, Daniel Payares-Montoya, Kevin Cook, Chansonette Buck May 8, 2024 Much of the pandemic recovery funding went directly to students—even that earmarked for institutional support. Investments reported to enhance student equity, success, and enrollment include making college more affordable, expanding student supports and services, and increasing flexibility in course modality.
blog post What to Watch for in Higher Education in 2024 By Olga Rodriguez, Kevin Cook Jan 29, 2024 With policymakers facing a sizeable state budget deficit, we highlight higher education issues to watch this year, including key opportunities and areas of concern.
Fact Sheet California’s Higher Education System By Kevin Cook Jan 10, 2024 The nation’s largest public system of higher learning is in California. Nearly 80% of state students attend a public institution, with over half enrolling in community college—making transfer into a four-year college a key path to a bachelor’s degree. Funds to support higher education and financial aid account for about 7% of the state’s budget.
blog post Video: A Conversation with California’s Public Higher Education Leaders By Vicki Hsieh Dec 8, 2023 PPIC president and CEO Tani Cantil-Sakauye talks with leaders from across the state's higher education systems—UC president Michael V. Drake, CSU chancellor Mildred García, and California Community Colleges executive vice chancellor Aisha Lowe—about their priorities for expanding educational opportunity.
Fact Sheet College Readiness in California By Iwunze Ugo, Laura Hill Dec 4, 2023 More Californians are graduating from high school, but many graduates are underprepared for higher education and there are racial/ethnic and income disparities. Closing these gaps will require sustained efforts across the state's K–12 system.
Fact Sheet College Access in California By Iwunze Ugo Dec 4, 2023 About three in five Californians enroll in college right after high school. But whether—and where—high school graduates attend college varies across regions and demographic groups.
blog post Video: Tracking Progress in Community College Access and Success By Vicki Hsieh Nov 8, 2023 Four years ago, state lawmakers dramatically broadened access to key transfer-level courses at California’s community colleges. PPIC researcher Cesar Alesi Perez presents findings from a new report on what these reforms have meant for improving student outcomes.
blog post Testimony: Improving College Access and Success through Dual Enrollment By Olga Rodriguez Nov 6, 2023 At a hearing of the Assembly Higher Education Committee, PPIC Higher Education Center director and senior fellow Olga Rodriguez discusses the state landscape for dual enrollment—by which high school students take college courses and earn college credit—and how this approach can help improve student outcomes.
event Tracking Progress in Community College Access and Success Oct 31, 2023 Three years after a landmark reform broadened access to transfer-level math and English courses for community college students, have outcomes improved? PPIC researcher Cesar Alesi Perez will present findings from a new report, discussing both the significant progress to date and essential areas of future reform.
