Report English as a Second Language at California’s Community Colleges By Olga Rodriguez, Laura Hill, Daniel Payares-Montoya Nov 28, 2022 Colleges began implementing reforms aimed at improving English as a Second Language pathways in fall 2021—during a historic pandemic. We cannot yet disentangle the impact of reforms from the effects of the COVID-19 crisis, but an analysis of early implementation finds that colleges have made significant progress.
Report Income Inequality and the Safety Net in California By Caroline Danielson, Sarah Bohn May 19, 2016 Income inequality has been growing for decades, in California and the nation as a whole. In recent years, inequality—and the role of policy in addressing it—has become a major focus of public debate. This report documents the polarization of incomes across the state and shows how social safety net programs mitigate inequality.
event The Importance of CalFresh in Unstable Times Sep 23, 2022 CalFresh is one of California’s largest safety net programs, providing food assistance to 4.8 million residents. As policymakers consider ways to strengthen the link between safety net participation and economic mobility, a better understanding of the job and income instability that participants face is critical. PPIC’s Tess Thorman and Caroline Danielson will discuss CalFresh enrollment before and during the COVID crisis, participants’ ties to the workforce, and the program’s role in stabilizing family budgets.
blog post COVID-19 Alters College Admissions By Jacob Jackson, Olga Rodriguez, Niu Gao May 5, 2020 UC and CSU are allowing greater flexibility in requirements for fall 2021 admission, but disadvantaged students may still face unique barriers to access.
blog post Serving California’s Diverse College Students By Sergio Sanchez, Hans Johnson Feb 27, 2019 California is enrolling more historically underserved students in the state's public higher education systems, but helping them to graduate in four years remains a big challenge.
blog post California’s Brain Gain By Hans Johnson Jan 3, 2018 California is unique: It is gaining large numbers of college graduates from other states and losing large numbers of less educated adults.
blog post Testimony: Poverty and the Safety Net By Sarah Bohn Feb 27, 2014 PPIC research fellow Sarah Bohn testified Wednesday before the Assembly Budget Subcommittee for Health and Human Services. She described recent poverty trends and the impact of anti-poverty programs in California.
blog post Interactive: Many Californians Live in or Near Poverty By Tess Thorman Mar 4, 2020 Economic hardship does not end at the poverty line. More than 7 million Californians are “near poor”: out of poverty, but with annual resources of up to just 1.5 times the poverty threshold.
