blog post Video: College Eligibility for the University of California By Mary Severance Feb 14, 2020 PPIC’s Niu Gao discusses research on proposed changes to science requirements for UC eligibility, and an expert panel explores what they could mean for students and the university.
Report New Eligibility Rules for the University of California? The Effects of New Science Requirements By Niu Gao, Hans Johnson, Julien Lafortune, Anthony Dalton Nov 20, 2019 The UC system has proposed requiring three years of high school science, instead of two, to align with new K–12 standards. But this change could also reduce eligibility, especially for underrepresented students. Stakeholders can take several steps to help ensure the policy promotes equity.
blog post Video: Broadening Access to Transfer-Level Courses at California’s Community Colleges By Lynette Ubois Oct 16, 2019 At an event in Sacramento, researcher Marisol Cuellar Mejia and an expert panel discuss a new PPIC report on how large-scale placement and curricular reforms at community colleges are increasing student success.
press release Broadening Access to Transfer-Level Courses Dramatically Increases Success for Community College Students Oct 7, 2019
Report What Happens When Colleges Broaden Access to Transfer-Level Courses? Evidence from California’s Community Colleges By Marisol Cuellar Mejia, Olga Rodriguez, Hans Johnson Oct 7, 2019 California community colleges that have significantly expanded access to transfer-level courses—important steps toward degrees and transfers to four-year schools—have seen increased student success, particularly in English. Prompted by a new law (AB 705), placement and curricular reforms are now being enacted system-wide; it will be important to monitor their impact.
blog post How Community College Reforms Could Help English Learners By Olga Rodriguez, Bonnie Brooks Oct 3, 2019 Two-thirds of English Learner students are not on track to earn a degree, but new initiatives may create clearer, more accessible pathways for advancement.
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.
blog post Reforming California’s Community College System By Hans Johnson, Olga Rodriguez, Marisol Cuellar Mejia May 31, 2019 Community colleges are implementing a number of reforms designed to help more students get a degree or a certificate or transfer to a four-year institution.
blog post Video: English as a Second Language in California Community Colleges By Mary Severance May 2, 2019 PPIC researcher Bonnie Brooks presents findings from a new report on ESL in community colleges, and an expert panel discusses how campuses across the state are taking steps to strengthen their ESL programs.
Report English as a Second Language in California’s Community Colleges By Olga Rodriguez, Sarah Bohn, Laura Hill, Bonnie Brooks Apr 29, 2019 English language proficiency can facilitate social and economic mobility for non-native speakers—and California’s community colleges are key providers of ESL education. Now that a new law is motivating colleges across the state to reexamine their ESL programs, we need a better understanding of ESL students and the policies that help them succeed.
