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Supporting Student Parents in Community College CalWORKs Programs

By Shannon McConville, Sarah Bohn, Bonnie Brooks

All community colleges run support programs for students who receive CalWORKs, the state’s cash assistance program for poor families with children. Students do better when enrolled in these support programs, but completion rates are low. How can colleges help more CalWORKs students succeed?

Report

Higher Education in California: Making College Affordable

By Hans Johnson, Jacob Jackson, Courtney Lee

After doubling during the Great Recession, tuition at California’s public universities has leveled off. However, non-tuition costs are significant, especially for students from low-income families. State financial aid programs focus mostly on tuition, so students must cover costs that add up to thousands of dollars.

Report

Higher Education in California: Investing in Public Higher Education

By Hans Johnson, Patrick Murphy, Kevin Cook

State funding for higher education has increased in recent years. Per student funding for the California Community Colleges (CCC) is at an historic high and the Cal Grant program is larger than ever. But the state’s investment in its public universities remains far lower than in the past.

Report

Higher Education in California

By Patrick Murphy, Sarah Bohn, Marisol Cuellar Mejia, Kevin Cook ...

Higher education is a key driver of economic growth and individual opportunity in California. Substantial gains in college enrollment and graduation rates—particularly among historically underrepresented groups—can help boost economic mobility, increase tax revenue, and reduce pressure on the social safety net.

Fact Sheet

State Financial Aid in California

By Kevin Cook, Jacob Jackson, Courtney Lee

California’s financial aid programs help large numbers of middle- and low-income students attend college--but many are excluded by complex eligibility requirements, and most non-tuition costs are not covered.

Report

English as a Second Language in California’s Community Colleges

By Olga Rodriguez, Sarah Bohn, Laura Hill, Bonnie Brooks

English language proficiency can facilitate social and economic mobility for non-native speakers—and California’s community colleges are key providers of ESL education. Now that a new law is motivating colleges across the state to reexamine their ESL programs, we need a better understanding of ESL students and the policies that help them succeed.

Report

Coordinating California’s Higher Education System

By Paul Warren

Establishing an independent council to provide leadership, expertise, and coordination across sectors of higher education would help California better meet student and workforce needs. This brief report outlines key considerations for building a successful council.

Report

Higher Education as a Driver of Economic Mobility

By Hans Johnson, Marisol Cuellar Mejia, Sarah Bohn

Higher education is key in helping Californians move up the income ladder—but equity gaps are a big challenge. Among young adults born in California, 60% of Asian Americans and 40% of whites have at least a bachelor’s degree, compared to 21% of African Americans and 18% of Latinos.

Statewide Survey

PPIC Statewide Survey: Californians and Higher Education

By Mark Baldassare, Dean Bonner, Lunna Lopes, Alyssa Dykman

Key findings: Most Californians think public higher education should be a high priority for the next governor; many are ready for a change in policies. A majority see affordability as a big problem and are concerned about students at public colleges and universities taking on too much debt.More than half say the level of state funding for higher education is inadequate; many think a state spending guarantee for the California State University and University of California systems is a good idea.

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