blog post California Remains on Track to Close the Degree Gap By Hans Johnson, Marisol Cuellar Mejia May 18, 2021 Six years ago, PPIC projected a shortage of 1.1 million highly educated workers in California by 2030. Today—despite the disruptions caused by the pandemic—the state is on track to close this gap.
Report Building California’s Cradle-to-Career Data System By Jacob Jackson Apr 7, 2021 A yearlong collaboration among educational institutions, state agencies, advocates, and researchers has led to a plan for a statewide system that connects K–12, higher education, workforce, and social services data. This report outlines how this shared knowledge base can benefit California—and key considerations for ensuring the system’s long-term success.
Statewide Survey PPIC Statewide Survey: Californians and Their Government By Mark Baldassare, Dean Bonner, Rachel Lawler, Deja Thomas Mar 30, 2021 Key findings from the current survey include: As approval of Governor Newsom holds steady, four in ten likely voters would vote to remove the governor in a recall election. Overwhelming majorities support the $7.6 billion COVID-19 relief package signed by Governor Newsom as well as the $1.9 trillion federal relief package. Most Democrats, independents, and Republicans support a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. Ninety percent of Californians say housing affordability is a problem in their part of the state, and some residents are seriously considering moving.
blog post Video: A Conversation with Chancellor Joseph I. Castro By Stephanie Barton Mar 5, 2021 PPIC’s Mark Baldassare talks with the leader of the California State University about addressing the COVID-19 pandemic as well as CSU’s efforts to increase access, diversity, and college completion.
blog post Video: The Path to Healthy Headwater Forests By Lori Pottinger Feb 16, 2021 The worst wildfire year in California history prompted new efforts to manage Sierra forests to improve their resilience to fire and drought. A panel of experts discussed ways to increase the pace and scale of management to restore forest health.
blog post Most California Colleges Are Sticking with Online Instruction This Spring By Cesar Alesi Perez, Hans Johnson Feb 12, 2021 California colleges are more likely than those in the rest of the US to be operating primarily online. Public health data support the state’s cautious approach, but a reliance on distance learning raises equity concerns.
event Building Resilience for Cities and Farms with Water Partnerships Feb 2, 2021 California’s urban and agricultural regions face different but equally daunting water challenges. Partnerships can help build a more secure water future for cities and farms, bring environmental benefits, and improve resilience across California’s water system.
Statewide Survey PPIC Statewide Survey: Californians and Their Government By Mark Baldassare, Dean Bonner, Rachel Lawler, Deja Thomas Jan 31, 2021 Key findings from the current survey include a majority approve of Governor Newsom’s job performance and his handling of COVID-19—but the state gets low marks on the distribution of the vaccine. Two in three Californians now say they would definitely or probably get the vaccine when it is available to them; there are disparities across racial/ethnic groups. Overwhelming majorities say the state is in an economic recession; a majority say their personal finances are in fair or poor shape. Strong majorities approve of President Biden and his handling of the pandemic.
blog post Testimony: A New Era of Student Access at California’s Community Colleges By Olga Rodriguez Jan 19, 2021 In testimony for the California Community Colleges Board of Governors, PPIC’s Olga Rodriguez presents research showing that expanded access to transfer-level English and math courses improves student outcomes and narrows—but does not erase—racial inequities.
blog post The Year Ahead in Higher Education By Hans Johnson Jan 13, 2021 Last year brought historic disruptions to California’s colleges and universities. In 2021, how can policymakers and higher education officials draw on lessons learned during the pandemic while building on progress that was underway prior to COVID-19?