blog post College Admissions in an Era of Uncertainty By Niu Gao, Hans Johnson Jan 5, 2022 The University of California and the California State University have altered admissions policies to address some of the academic effects of the pandemic and to increase equity in access. What does the early evidence say about the impact of these changes?
blog post Video: Community College Math in California’s New Era of Student Access By Stephanie Barton Dec 14, 2021 PPIC researcher Cesar Alesi Perez presents a new study on landmark reforms to assessment and placement at California community colleges, and an expert panel discusses strategies for promoting student success and increasing equity.
event Community College Math in California’s New Era of Student Access Dec 9, 2021 Over the past few years, a landmark law (AB 705) has required California’s community colleges to move away from remedial courses, dramatically expanding student access to the math and English courses needed to transfer to a four-year college. How has the pandemic affected these reforms? Is AB 705 leading to better—and more equitable—student outcomes? PPIC researcher Cesar Alesi Perez will outline new findings, and a panel of experts will talk about promoting equity and student success in the AB 705 era.
Policy Brief Policy Brief: Community College Math in California’s New Era of Student Access By Marisol Cuellar Mejia, Olga Rodriguez, Hans Johnson, Cesar Alesi Perez Dec 7, 2021 After AB 705 expanded access to courses needed for transfer, the rate of students passing introductory math shot up. Racial equity gaps in access have narrowed, but some students are still enrolling in courses that don’t count for transfer.
Report Community College Math in California’s New Era of Student Access By Marisol Cuellar Mejia, Olga Rodriguez, Hans Johnson, Cesar Alesi Perez Dec 7, 2021 In fall 2019, California’s community colleges began implementing AB 705, making reforms to place thousands of students away from remedial courses and directly into the introductory courses necessary to transfer to a four-year college. In this report, we focus on math courses and the progress that colleges and students have made under the new system as of fall 2020.
Report Keeping College Affordable for California Students By Kevin Cook, Jacob Jackson Dec 1, 2021 California’s financial aid programs reduce tuition for most students. But the state and its higher education institutions can improve college access and success by providing additional aid to lower-income students, addressing growing non-tuition costs, and eliminating barriers that increase the time it takes to earn a degree.
blog post Geography of College Aid in California By Cesar Alesi Perez, Kevin Cook, Vicki Hsieh Dec 1, 2021 Completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is vital to improving college access and affordability. Yet many California high school graduates do not complete the form, with wide variation across districts.
blog post Geography of Dual Enrollment Programs in California By Olga Rodriguez, Niu Gao Nov 22, 2021 Dual enrollment, which allows high school students to take college courses and earn college credit, has been increasing steadily in California. Understanding how program availability varies across regions can inform efforts to improve equity in access.
blog post Dual Enrollment Can Expand Educational Opportunity By Olga Rodriguez, Niu Gao Nov 2, 2021 PPIC researchers participated in an online discussion about ways to promote an equitable expansion of dual enrollment in California community colleges, hosted by the College Futures Foundation.
blog post College and Major Can Matter A Lot for Starting Wages By Jacob Jackson, Hans Johnson Oct 21, 2021 Students’ future income can vary widely by the college they attend and their field of study, with people in nursing and computer science fields typically among the highest earners.