Report From Community College to University: Expectations for California’s New Transfer Degrees By Nancy Shulock, Colleen Moore Mar 19, 2014 A California community college degree designed to streamline students’ admission to the California State University is leading to clearer pathways for transfer. But efforts to fully implement this reform still face a number of challenges.
Report Higher Education in California: California’s Higher Education System By Hans Johnson, Marisol Cuellar Mejia Oct 1, 2019 California’s higher education system is the largest—and among the most diverse—in the nation. It has three public segments, as well as more than 150 private nonprofit colleges and about 160 for-profit institutions.
Report Improving College Pathways in California By Niu Gao, Hans Johnson Nov 27, 2017 Far too many California students are falling off the pathway to and through college. At current rates of high school and college completion, only about 30 percent of California 9th graders will earn a bachelor’s degree, a rate that is insufficient for an economy that increasingly demands more highly educated workers.
Report Improving College Access and Success through Dual Enrollment By Olga Rodriguez, Daniel Payares-Montoya, Iwunze Ugo, Niu Gao Aug 21, 2023 At one time, mainly high-achieving high school students took college courses through dual enrollment; but access has widened under the College and Career Access Pathways (CCAP) program. While CCAP students are benefiting from the program—they enroll in community college at high rates and reach key milestones—CCAP has room to improve.
Policy Brief Policy Brief: COVID-19 Emergency Funding and California’s Higher Education Systems By Jacob Jackson, Kevin Cook, Darriya Starr, Chansonette Buck Nov 16, 2022 Just before the pandemic hit, state funding for higher education was high and increasing, student outcomes were improving, and programs for students in need were robust. COVID-19 sent shocking changes through these educational institutions’ means and methods of operating.
Report Meeting California’s Need for College Graduates: A Regional Perspective By Hans Johnson, Kevin Cook, Marisol Cuellar Mejia Jun 27, 2017 Los Angeles County, the Inland Empire, and the San Joaquin Valley will play a critical role in whether California can keep up with the economy’s growing need for college graduates. Colleges and universities in these regions will need to work together to boost graduation rates, while enrolling more freshmen and transferring more students.
Policy Brief Policy Brief: The Future of Higher Education Enrollment in California By Hans Johnson, Cesar Alesi Perez, Mary Severance Jun 17, 2024 Higher education has long been a driver of economic mobility and well-being in California. While college enrollment and completion have long trended upward, the state population fell and higher education enrollment declined during the pandemic. How will California’s colleges and universities fare over the next two decades?
Report Higher Education in California: Performance Budgeting By Hans Johnson, Patrick Murphy, Margaret Weston, Kevin Cook Nov 12, 2014 As California begins to reinvest in public higher education after several years of budget cuts, it could opt to tie funding more closely with outcomes—for example, the number of students educated or degrees awarded. This approach, known as performance-based funding, has the potential to incentivize investment by the state’s higher education systems in areas that further state priorities. Drawing on California’s minimal experience with performance-based funding and the approaches other states have pursued, this report raises four important questions for the state to consider if it wants to link funding for higher education with outcomes without compromising on either quality or equity.
Report Dual Enrollment in California By Olga Rodriguez, Niu Gao Oct 18, 2021 Dual enrollment provides opportunities for high school students to take college courses and earn college credit. The pandemic has fueled a nationwide surge in participation, and equity-centered legislation has raised dual enrollment’s profile in California. As dual enrollment expands, state leaders can take steps to promote equitable access and outcomes.
Report Evaluating Academic Programs in California’s Community Colleges By Andrew M. Gill, Duane E. Leigh Aug 18, 2004 In Evaluating Academic Programs in California’s Community Colleges, Andrew M. Gill and Duane E. Leigh address three related questions. How do colleges differ in their academic program offerings? Do college-specific characteristics and community needs explain these differences? If so, can these explanations help policymakers design guidelines for evaluating community college performance? They find that although most community colleges are heavily engaged in offering credits that transfer to four-year colleges, over 40 percent specialize in one way or another. They also find that program emphases and specializations are associated with factors such as local labor market conditions, proximity to four-year institutions, and membership in a multi-campus district. Given the range of missions observed across campuses, the authors maintain that a “one-size-fits-all” strategy for evaluating community colleges may not be appropriate.
