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.
Report Water Partnerships between Cities and Farms in Southern California and the San Joaquin Valley By Alvar Escriva-Bou, Gokce Sencan, Ellen Hanak, Robert Wilkinson Oct 28, 2020 The San Joaquin Valley and urban Southern California are worlds apart, but each faces growing water challenges. Both regions’ water futures could be more secure if they take advantage of shared water infrastructure to jointly develop and manage some water supplies.
blog post Affirmative Action and Higher Education in California By Radhika Mehlotra, Bonnie Brooks Sep 3, 2020 A November ballot measure asks Californians whether or not to repeal the state’s ban on affirmative action in the public sector, including in public higher education.
blog post The DACA Ruling and California’s Dreamers By Joseph Hayes, Laura Hill Jun 19, 2020 What does this week’s US Supreme Court ruling mean for the nearly 200,000 DACA recipients in California?
blog post High School Graduation during the COVID-19 Crisis By Niu Gao, Joseph Hayes Apr 16, 2020 School closures and the move to distance learning present challenges in ensuring that California students, especially those from low-income families or with special educational needs, stay on track for graduating.
blog post California Agriculture in 2050: Still Feeding People, Maybe Fewer Acres and Cows By Lori Pottinger Feb 18, 2020 Water supply, regulations, tariffs, climate change, and other challenges affect agriculture. We talked to Dan Sumner of the UC Davis Agricultural Issues Center about the future of California agriculture.
blog post Demand for UC and CSU Enrollment Remains Strong By Hans Johnson Jan 9, 2020 Even as the number of high school graduates in California has remained steady, demand for admission to the state’s public universities continues to grow.
Report New Eligibility Rules for the University of California? The Effects of New Science Requirements By Niu Gao, Hans Johnson, Julien Lafortune, Anthony Dalton Nov 20, 2019 The UC system has proposed requiring three years of high school science, instead of two, to align with new K–12 standards. But this change could also reduce eligibility, especially for underrepresented students. Stakeholders can take several steps to help ensure the policy promotes equity.
Report Common Core State Standards in California: Evaluating Local Implementation and Student Outcomes By Niu Gao, Julien Lafortune Sep 25, 2019 California adopted the Common Core State Standards to prepare K–12 students for college and careers—and to narrow longstanding achievement gaps. Most districts have implemented the standards, and student outcomes have improved modestly. But progress has been uneven. State tracking and support could help districts implement the standards successfully.
blog post Proposed Changes in Admission Requirements at CSU By Courtney Lee Aug 2, 2019 California State University is considering changing its three-year high school math requirement to a quantitative reasoning requirement of four years that broadens the list of eligible courses.