Policy Brief Policy Brief: Community College English in California’s New Era of Student Access By Marisol Cuellar Mejia, Olga Rodriguez, Hans Johnson, Cesar Alesi Perez Aug 15, 2022 Three years after a landmark law prompted major reforms across the state's community colleges, significant progress has been made. Students are now much more likely to complete college composition—the “gateway” transfer-level English course. But more can be done to address persistent racial equity gaps and pandemic challenges.
Report Community College English in California’s New Era of Student Access By Marisol Cuellar Mejia, Olga Rodriguez, Hans Johnson, Cesar Alesi Perez Aug 15, 2022 Major assessment and placement reforms at the state's community colleges have all but eliminated remedial prerequisites. As a result, students are much more likely to complete college composition—the “gateway” transfer-level English course. However, more work is needed to address persistent racial equity gaps and pandemic challenges.
blog post Policy Expert Olga Rodriguez to Lead PPIC Higher Education Center By Vicki Hsieh Jul 5, 2022 New director Olga Rodriguez talks about her vision for the PPIC Higher Education Center and discusses the key issues for California’s colleges and universities today.
blog post Extended Freeze on Student Loan Payments Could Help Many California Borrowers By Darriya Starr, Jacob Jackson Apr 19, 2022 The federal government’s moratorium on student loan payments during the COVID-19 crisis, along with plans to eliminate defaults and delinquencies, may leave many California borrowers better off than they were before the pandemic, when many struggled to make progress on their loans.
blog post The Pandemic’s Effects on Higher Education By Hans Johnson, Kevin Cook, Marisol Cuellar Mejia, Jacob Jackson Mar 15, 2022 COVID-19 has created wide-ranging disruptions for college students and the institutions they attend. Looking ahead, a focus on student-centered policies and programs that improve access, completion, and equity will be critical.
blog post Geography of Community College Transfers in California By Cesar Alesi Perez, Hans Johnson, Vicki Hsieh Mar 4, 2022 Transfers from community colleges to the University of California and California State University have increased in recent years, though transfer rates vary across community college districts and campuses and across racial/ethnic groups.
blog post New Law Raises Standards for Police Officers By Shannon McConville, Deepak Premkumar Jan 26, 2022 A new state law raises the minimum age for law enforcement—from 18 to 21—and requires California’s community college system to create a new policing degree program. How might these changes affect the law enforcement workforce?
blog post Video: Community College Math in California’s New Era of Student Access By Stephanie Barton Dec 14, 2021 PPIC researcher Cesar Alesi Perez presents a new study on landmark reforms to assessment and placement at California community colleges, and an expert panel discusses strategies for promoting student success and increasing equity.
event Community College Math in California’s New Era of Student Access Dec 9, 2021 Over the past few years, a landmark law (AB 705) has required California’s community colleges to move away from remedial courses, dramatically expanding student access to the math and English courses needed to transfer to a four-year college. How has the pandemic affected these reforms? Is AB 705 leading to better—and more equitable—student outcomes? PPIC researcher Cesar Alesi Perez will outline new findings, and a panel of experts will talk about promoting equity and student success in the AB 705 era.
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.
