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.
event English as a Second Language in California Community Colleges Apr 30, 2019 Effective English as a second language (ESL) programs can facilitate social and economic mobility for non-native speakers. PPIC researcher Bonnie Brooks will outline a new report about reforms to ESL programs at California’s community colleges intended to improve student outcomes. A panel of experts will then discuss the challenges and benefits of implementing new ESL policies.
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.
Report K–12 Reforms and California’s English Learner Achievement Gap By Laura Hill May 30, 2018 English Learner (EL) students have been a key part of California’s K–12 system for decades. They currently make up about 21 percent of the public school population. English Learner status is meant to be temporary, and indeed, reclassified English Learners (those who are deemed English proficient) are among the best-performing students in the state. But students who remain ELs for longer periods generally have poor outcomes.
blog post Testimony: Reforming Key Policies at the Community Colleges By Sarah Bohn Apr 3, 2018 Reforming the assessment and placement policies of California's community colleges is vital to helping students achieve their academic goals.
blog post Testimony: Accurately Assessing College Readiness By Olga Rodriguez Apr 19, 2017 A more equitable and efficient system for assessment and placement at the community colleges is a vital step in helping all students achieve their academic goals.
Report Determining College Readiness in California’s Community Colleges: A Survey of Assessment and Placement Policies By Hans Johnson, Marisol Cuellar Mejia, Olga Rodriguez Nov 9, 2016 Assessment and placement policies govern where students begin their college journey. Yet community colleges vary greatly in how they identify college-ready students—potentially leading to inequitable access to transfer-level courses. This research was supported with funding from The Sutton Family Fund.
blog post California’s Farmers Adapt to Drought (in English and Spanish) By Alvar Escriva-Bou Mar 8, 2016 The drought has challenged California’s agricultural sector. An expert interview with Josué Medellín-Azuara on how farmers are coping. Includes a Spanish-language video.
