Report Improving College Graduation Rates: A Closer Look at California State University By Kevin Cook, Jacob Jackson May 17, 2016 Low college graduation rates come at a high cost—lower salaries, lower tax revenue, and fewer college graduates in the workforce. At California State University (CSU), the nation's largest university system, graduation rates have an outsized financial and economic impact on students and the state. CSU has made strides in improving graduation rates, but there is more work to be done. The system continues to struggle with graduation gaps—underrepresented students are much less likely to complete their degree compared to their peers, and these gaps have not narrowed over time. Also, CSU's on-time (four-year) graduation rates still lag behind those of similar universities nationwide. By 2025, CSU aims to further increase graduation rates while cutting graduation gaps in half. To assist campus planning for this goal, we identify several promising programs and policies. More broadly, the CSU Chancellor's Office must work with campuses to evaluate and expand successful efforts, and the state must play a role in supporting new policies to move the needle on graduation gaps and on-time graduation.
blog post The Future of Online Education in Public Colleges By David Lesher Jun 26, 2014 California’s three public higher education segments are pursuing new initiatives in online education. On Tuesday, PPIC hosted a lunch event on this topic.
blog post Video: A High-Interest Election By Linda Strean Sep 28, 2016 This is an unusual election year, as the findings from the September PPIC Statewide Survey show.
Report Achieving Digital Equity for California’s Students By Joseph Hayes, Niu Gao Oct 25, 2021 The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the importance of digital connectivity for learning—while highlighting serious inequities in access to broadband and computing devices. Learn about the progress California made last year and the steps the state can take to achieve the goal of affordable broadband and devices for all California students.
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.
blog post How Community College Reforms Could Help English Learners By Olga Rodriguez, Bonnie Brooks Oct 3, 2019 Two-thirds of English Learner students are not on track to earn a degree, but new initiatives may create clearer, more accessible pathways for advancement.
blog post Making the Most of State Investments in Dual Enrollment By Daniel Payares-Montoya, Mary Severance Oct 18, 2023 California is taking various steps to expand the reach of dual enrollment, which allows high school students to take college courses. We talked with Dr. Sandra Fuentes, Interim Dean of Early College at Reedley College in the Central Valley, about how dual enrollment can help historically underserved students succeed in postsecondary education.
Statewide Survey PPIC Statewide Survey: Californians and the Future By Mark Baldassare Nov 30, 2006 Some findings of the current survey: The majority of voters (53%) in the November election say the state is headed in the right direction. Nearly six in 10 voters (58%) think that the governor and legislature will be able to work together and accomplish a lot in the next year. Sixty-eight percent say the state government is run by a few big interests, down from 78 percent one year ago. The initiative process remains popular, but voters have some complaints: ballot wording is too complicated and confusing (63%), there are too many initiatives on the ballot (60%), and too much money is spent on initiative campaigns (78%). This is the 73rd PPIC Statewide Survey and the last in a four-part, pre- and post-election series, made possible with funding from The James Irvine Foundation.
