blog post How Has California Narrowed Its K–12 Digital Divide? By Niu Gao, Joseph Hayes, Darriya Starr Apr 5, 2022 Since the onset of the pandemic, educators and policymakers have made substantial strides in addressing two key barriers to universal digital access—affordability and infrastructure.
Report Equitable State Funding for School Facilities By Julien Lafortune, Niu Gao Mar 14, 2022 Most funding for California’s K–12 facilities comes from local tax revenues, which depend on property wealth. State funding could potentially address wealth disparities, but it has disproportionately benefited more-affluent districts. Policymakers should prioritize equity in facility funding so that all students have access to safe and effective learning environments.
blog post Reforming Water Rights in California By Sarah Bardeen Feb 28, 2022 Water rights reform has long been the third rail in California politics—but that might be changing, thanks to an intriguing new report. We speak with two of the report’s authors about why they undertook this effort now.
blog post Historic Law Aims to Improve Police Accountability and Transparency By Deepak Premkumar, Shannon McConville Feb 25, 2022 A new California law bars police officers who commit serious misconduct from serving in any of the state’s law enforcement agencies and also aims to make data on misconduct more accessible.
blog post Building a Community-Owned Broadband Network in Imperial County By Joseph Hayes, Mary Severance, Niu Gao Jan 28, 2022 We talked with Luis Wong, chief technology officer with the Imperial County Office of Education, about efforts in this largely rural area to bridge the digital divide.
blog post Dangers Lurk in the San Joaquin Valley’s Dust By Sarah Bardeen Jan 10, 2022 In the San Joaquin Valley, concerns about airborne dust—and its health impacts—are growing. We speak with two experts who say people are right to be concerned.
blog post Commentary: Narrowing the Digital Divide with Pandemic Benefits By Joseph Hayes, Darriya Starr, Niu Gao Jan 4, 2022 Many California households struggle to afford broadband internet, especially in low-income communities and communities of color. How can policymakers help maximize the impact of a key federal program that aims to expand access?
blog post Video: Achieving Digital Equity for California’s Students By Vicki Hsieh Nov 4, 2021 PPIC researcher Joseph Hayes presents findings from a new report on recent changes in digital access and equity, and an expert panel discusses strategies for closing the persistent digital divide.
event Achieving Digital Equity for California’s Students Oct 28, 2021 The importance of digital connectivity in K–12 education has never been more apparent. Did student access to devices and the internet improve during the pandemic? Did unprecedented investments in broadband help close equity gaps in digital access? PPIC researcher Joseph Hayes will outline key findings from a new report, and a panel of experts will discuss how local, state, and national stakeholders can continue working together on this vital issue.
blog post Video: A Conversation with Chief Justice of California Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye By Mary Severance Oct 26, 2021 Chief Justice Cantil-Sakauye talks with PPIC’s Mark Baldassare about how the state’s judicial system adapted to the COVID-19 pandemic and what this experience could mean for the future of the courts.
