blog post Governor Newsom Proposes New Investments in Math and Science Teachers By Julien Lafortune, Radhika Mehlotra Jan 16, 2020 In the state budget proposal he released last week, the governor calls for new spending to address the teacher shortage in high-need subjects.
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 What Happens When Colleges Broaden Access to Transfer-Level Courses? Evidence from California’s Community Colleges By Marisol Cuellar Mejia, Olga Rodriguez, Hans Johnson Oct 7, 2019 California community colleges that have significantly expanded access to transfer-level courses—important steps toward degrees and transfers to four-year schools—have seen increased student success, particularly in English. Prompted by a new law (AB 705), placement and curricular reforms are now being enacted system-wide; it will be important to monitor their impact.
blog post Video: Career Education and Economic Mobility in California By Shannon McConville, Jenny Miyasaki Sep 25, 2019 Career education at California’s community colleges helps to boost earnings and prepare the state’s workforce for current and future job market needs.
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.
blog post Exploring Math Pathways under Common Core By Niu Gao May 6, 2019 Common Core State Standards allow school districts to follow a traditional or integrated math pathway, and there are significant differences in how this choice varies across districts.
Report English as a Second Language in California’s Community Colleges By Olga Rodriguez, Sarah Bohn, Laura Hill, Bonnie Brooks Apr 29, 2019 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 Stackable Credentials in Career Education at California Community Colleges By Sarah Bohn, Shannon McConville Oct 22, 2018 California is investing in career education programs at its community colleges. Stackable credentials are a key component—students who “stack” multiple, related awards can build skills and increase earnings over time. We need to know more about how well-designed stackable credential programs help students succeed.
Fact Sheet Career Technical Education in California By Sarah Bohn, Niu Gao, Shannon McConville Jun 6, 2018
Report K–12 Reforms and California’s English Learner Achievement Gap By Laura Hill May 30, 2018 English Learner (EL) students have been a key part of California’s K–12 system for decades. They currently make up about 21 percent of the public school population. English Learner status is meant to be temporary, and indeed, reclassified English Learners (those who are deemed English proficient) are among the best-performing students in the state. But students who remain ELs for longer periods generally have poor outcomes.
