Explainer Is College Worth It? By Marisol Cuellar Mejia, Cesar Alesi Perez, Vicki Hsieh, Hans Johnson Mar 8, 2023 Rising college costs and a reluctance to take on debt lead many students and families to wonder if college will actually yield a brighter future with higher earnings and better jobs. In this explainer, we explore whether the benefits of a college degree outweigh the costs.
Report Higher Education in California: Investing in Public Higher Education By Hans Johnson, Patrick Murphy, Kevin Cook Oct 1, 2019 State funding for higher education has increased in recent years. Per student funding for the California Community Colleges (CCC) is at an historic high and the Cal Grant program is larger than ever. But the state’s investment in its public universities remains far lower than in the past.
blog post Pointing Eligible Students to Available CSU Campuses By Jacob Jackson Feb 6, 2020 A program launched last year aims to help students find alternatives when they are denied admission to their preferred CSU campus due to lack of space.
Report Strengthening California’s Transfer Pathway By Marisol Cuellar Mejia, Hans Johnson, Cesar Alesi Perez, Jacob Jackson Aug 29, 2023 Increasing the number of California community college students who transfer to four-year institutions is critical for creating a more diverse pool of college graduates. Despite recent progress, transfer rates remain low and racial disparities persist. Several reforms are already underway, and higher education institutions must continue to work together so more students can reach their academic goals.
Fact Sheet California’s Prison Population By Joseph Hayes, Justin Goss, Heather Harris, Alexandria Gumbs Jul 22, 2019 Many of California’s inmates live in overcrowded conditions, despite successful efforts to stabilize the prison population systemwide. This fact sheet provides a snapshot of the state’s prisons, highlighting the most current information on racial disparities, health costs, and other key issues.
Report Keeping College Affordable for California Students By Kevin Cook, Jacob Jackson Dec 1, 2021 California’s financial aid programs reduce tuition for most students. But the state and its higher education institutions can improve college access and success by providing additional aid to lower-income students, addressing growing non-tuition costs, and eliminating barriers that increase the time it takes to earn a degree.
Report Dual Enrollment in California By Olga Rodriguez, Niu Gao Oct 18, 2021 Dual enrollment provides opportunities for high school students to take college courses and earn college credit. The pandemic has fueled a nationwide surge in participation, and equity-centered legislation has raised dual enrollment’s profile in California. As dual enrollment expands, state leaders can take steps to promote equitable access and outcomes.
Occasional Paper, Report Funding Formulas for California Schools: Simulations and Supporting Data By Jon Sonstelie, Ray Reinhard, Heather Rose, Ria Sengupta Bhatt Jan 23, 2008 California’s school finance system is long overdue for fundamental reform. The authors of this paper simulate an alternative school finance system recently proposed by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley (Bersin, Kirst, and Liu). They conclude that the proposed system provides a good starting point for the kind of reform effort the state needs to undertake. This paper briefly reviews student needs and district costs throughout California and then discusses the results and implications of the simulation models. Further Analysis Data Reconciliation Request the School Finance Model
page PPIC Higher Education Center Apr 19, 2017 The PPIC Higher Education Center advances practical solutions that enhance educational opportunities for California's students—improving lives and expanding economic growth across the state.
blog post Video: English as a Second Language at California’s Community Colleges By Mary Severance Dec 7, 2022 In fall 2021, California community colleges began putting in place major reforms to English as a Second Language pathways. PPIC’s Daniel Payares-Montoya, Olga Rodriguez, and Laura Hill discuss new research on early implementation efforts, including the impact of the pandemic.
