Report Online Learning and Student Outcomes in Community Colleges By Hans Johnson, Marisol Cuellar Mejia May 14, 2014 Online course enrollment has increased dramatically at California’s community colleges. Students are less likely to successfully complete an online course than a traditional course. But many use online courses to achieve their long-term goals. This research was supported with funding from the Donald Bren Foundation.
Report The Effects of COVID-19 on Transfer-Intending Students in California’s Community Colleges By Cesar Alesi Perez, Jacob Jackson, Marisol Cuellar Mejia, Olga Rodriguez ... Oct 19, 2022 The pandemic disrupted enrollment, persistence, and course success for many transfer-intending students at California community colleges, especially those from vulnerable and underrepresented groups. Yet critical pre-pandemic reforms as well as actions taken by colleges and faculty may have helped limit the pandemic’s impact for some who stayed enrolled.
blog post Video: Career Pathways and Economic Mobility at California’s Community Colleges By Vicki Hsieh Jul 1, 2019 At an event in Sacramento, researcher Shannon McConville and an expert panel discuss a new PPIC report on the earnings gains provided by career education credentials from California community colleges.
blog post Testimony: A New Era of Student Access at California’s Community Colleges By Olga Rodriguez Jan 19, 2021 In testimony for the California Community Colleges Board of Governors, PPIC’s Olga Rodriguez presents research showing that expanded access to transfer-level English and math courses improves student outcomes and narrows—but does not erase—racial inequities.
blog post Video: A New Era of Student Access at California’s Community Colleges By Vicki Hsieh Nov 24, 2020 An expert panel discusses new PPIC research showing that broader access to transfer-level courses at community colleges increased student success and narrowed racial equity gaps.
Report Evaluating Academic Programs in California’s Community Colleges By Andrew M. Gill, Duane E. Leigh Aug 18, 2004 In Evaluating Academic Programs in California’s Community Colleges, Andrew M. Gill and Duane E. Leigh address three related questions. How do colleges differ in their academic program offerings? Do college-specific characteristics and community needs explain these differences? If so, can these explanations help policymakers design guidelines for evaluating community college performance? They find that although most community colleges are heavily engaged in offering credits that transfer to four-year colleges, over 40 percent specialize in one way or another. They also find that program emphases and specializations are associated with factors such as local labor market conditions, proximity to four-year institutions, and membership in a multi-campus district. Given the range of missions observed across campuses, the authors maintain that a “one-size-fits-all” strategy for evaluating community colleges may not be appropriate.
Policy Brief Policy Brief: Community College Math in California’s New Era of Student Access By Marisol Cuellar Mejia, Olga Rodriguez, Hans Johnson, Cesar Alesi Perez Dec 7, 2021 After AB 705 expanded access to courses needed for transfer, the rate of students passing introductory math shot up. Racial equity gaps in access have narrowed, but some students are still enrolling in courses that don’t count for transfer.
blog post Video: Improving English Courses at California’s Community Colleges By Abby Cook Mar 5, 2018 California’s community colleges are in the midst of numerous reforms to improve developmental—or remedial—English. A new PPIC report looks at effectiveness of some of these reforms.
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.
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.
