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: A Conversation with University of California President Michael V. Drake By Mary Severance Feb 26, 2021 Dr. Michael V. Drake talks with PPIC’s Mark Baldassare about how UC has responded to COVID-19 and discusses the system’s ongoing efforts to increase equity and diversity.
Report Does Raising High School Graduation Requirements Improve Student Outcomes? By Niu Gao Feb 23, 2021 The shift to distance learning during the COVID-19 crisis exacerbated inequities in California’s K–12 system, adding urgency to an ongoing discussion about the role of high school graduation policy in improving student outcomes. This report shows that more-rigorous graduation requirements can have a positive and equitable impact on college readiness.
blog post Dual Admission Could Help More Students Transfer from Community College to State Universities By Hans Johnson Feb 19, 2021 Under a proposed dual admission program, students who enroll in a California community college would be conditionally accepted to a state university. This could expand access to a bachelor’s degree and help address equity gaps in higher education.
event A Conversation with University of California President Michael V. Drake Feb 18, 2021 How is the University of California addressing major ongoing challenges, from the pandemic and its economic impact to persistent concerns about racial equity? Recently appointed UC President Michael V. Drake will join PPIC President and CEO Mark Baldassare for a wide-ranging conversation about short- and long-term priorities for higher education in California.
blog post Helping Community Colleges Build on Progress during the Pandemic By Hans Johnson Feb 4, 2021 As higher education continues to confront the disruptions from COVID-19, Governor Newsom’s proposed state budget includes funding to help California community colleges boost access and retention and improve student outcomes.
blog post Newsom’s Budget Advances Long-Overdue Education Data System By Jacob Jackson Jan 29, 2021 The governor’s proposed state budget includes $18.8 million in funds to move forward with a “cradle to career” data system that would provide valuable information for educators, policymakers, students, and parents.
blog post Commentary: An Equitable Recovery for California Requires Two Key Strategies By Sarah Bohn, Dean Bonner, Vicki Hsieh Jan 25, 2021 The current economic downturn has had an outsized impact on low-wage workers, communities of color, and women, and threatens to widen inequality. The right short- and long-term policies could help those most affected while broadening economic opportunity.
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.
Report California’s Future: Education By Laura Hill, Hans Johnson, Marisol Cuellar Mejia, Niu Gao ... Jan 15, 2021 California has begun moving toward a “cradle to career” approach that connects early childhood, K–12, and higher education more closely. But COVID-19 has disrupted learning, funding, and progress toward improving student outcomes and has exacerbated racial and economic equity gaps.