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.
event A Conversation with Chief Justice of California Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye Oct 21, 2021 Join us for a conversation with Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye—chief justice of California and leader of the state’s judicial branch—about the challenges brought on by the pandemic and the opportunities for reform created during this unprecedented time.
event Targeted K–12 Funding and Student Outcomes Oct 7, 2021 As students return to the classroom, record-high funding through the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) will help California districts address gaps after a year of remote learning. PPIC researcher Julien Lafortune will present findings from a new report that examines school and district spending against trends in student outcomes, offering insight into whether the LCFF is meeting its goal of improving equity in education.
event Groundwater and Urban Growth in the San Joaquin Valley Sep 30, 2021 The Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) will help the San Joaquin Valley address groundwater overdraft while also building its climate resilience. This will require hard work, not only by farmers—the largest groundwater users—but also by the valley’s urban water utilities. Join the PPIC Water Policy Center and state and local experts for a panel discussion about how to ensure a smooth transition for the region’s residents.
event Improving California’s Water Market Sep 23, 2021 As California works to bring its groundwater basins into balance under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), water banking and trading are important tools to help manage the transition—but aging infrastructure and complex regulations are limiting expansion. Join the PPIC Water Policy Center and state and local experts for a panel discussion on how to improve California’s water markets while protecting communities from harm.
event California’s 2021 Recall Election Sep 2, 2021 Californians are already casting mail-in ballots in a special election on the recall and replacement of Governor Gavin Newsom. How did we get here, and what is at stake for California? A panel of top political journalists will talk about the recall process and explore the implications of the election and its outcome.
event Improving Career Education Pathways into California’s Workforce Aug 26, 2021 COVID-19 hit workers with less education hardest, underscoring the need for public investments in workforce training. A new PPIC report describes student pathways through career education programs at community colleges and discusses insights from stakeholder interviews on how to help more people complete programs and connect to quality jobs.
event Advancing Ecosystem Restoration with Smarter Permitting Aug 18, 2021 California’s ecosystems are vital to the state’s water supply, agriculture, wildlife, and economy. Yet many of these ecosystems are in dire health, and climate change and accelerating biodiversity loss threaten to to further disrupt them. Large-scale ecosystem restoration is urgently needed; embracing smarter permitting can help.
event Reopening K–12 Schools: A Conversation with Linda Darling-Hammond Aug 10, 2021 As fall approaches, California’s public schools continue to grapple with a myriad of challenges. What does reopening look like, and how do educators address issues such as declining enrollment, learning loss, and the health and safety of students and staff?
event Statewide Survey: Californians and the Environment Jul 29, 2021 The July PPIC survey examines Californians’ perceptions of environmental issues facing the state, including the current drought, wildfires, and climate change. It explores views on how Governor Newsom and President Biden are handling these issues and gauges support for environmental and energy policies in California.
