Report Stackable Credentials in Career Education at California Community Colleges By Sarah Bohn, Shannon McConville Oct 22, 2018 California is investing in career education programs at its community colleges. Stackable credentials are a key component—students who “stack” multiple, related awards can build skills and increase earnings over time. We need to know more about how well-designed stackable credential programs help students succeed.
Report Health Training Pathways at California’s Community Colleges By Shannon McConville, Sarah Bohn, Landon Gibson Dec 1, 2016 State and federal policymakers looking to improve economic mobility and meet workforce needs have renewed their focus on career technical education. Health training is of particular interest—California’s community colleges offer a range of health programs and credentials and demand is growing for health workers with some college training. Students who earn shorter-term health credentials tend to see relatively low wage gains, and relatively few return to school to pursue higher-level training. Targeted outreach and support could help more students move along pathways to higher earnings. This research was supported with funding from the ECMC Foundation and the Sutton Family Fund.
blog post Testimony: Career Education Is Key to Meeting California’s Workforce Needs By Sarah Bohn Nov 27, 2018 About two-thirds of new jobs created in California over the next decade will require more than a high school diploma. Career education can help meet the demand of a knowledge-based economy.
blog post Training California’s Students for Well-Paying Jobs By Bonnie Brooks Jul 18, 2019 Completion of career education credentials at California community colleges has risen substantially, but some credentials create much larger earnings gains than do others.
blog post Video: Strengthening Pathways to Health Careers By Linda Strean Dec 12, 2016 Career technology programs in health provide promising career paths, and completion rates are high. But there is room for improvement.
blog post Video: Improving Career Education Pathways into California’s Workforce By Stephanie Barton Sep 7, 2021 PPIC research fellow Shannon McConville and an expert panel discuss how training programs could be designed to help more students complete credentials and advance in their careers.
press release Most Californians Who Obtain Career Education Credentials Earn Middle-Income Wages within a Year of Completion Jun 26, 2019
blog post Testimony: Enhancing California’s Wage Data Can Help Improve Its Economic Future By Sarah Bohn Apr 30, 2024 At a hearing of the Senate Select Committee on Career Technology and the New Economy, PPIC researcher Sarah Bohn discussed how improvements in the state's collection of wage data could inform strategies for promoting economic growth and opportunity.
blog post Testimony: How an Integrated Data System Could Improve Education By Jacob Jackson Apr 11, 2018 California needs a statewide integrated longitudinal data system to help evaluate and improve its education system.