Policy Brief Policy Brief: Improving College Access and Success through Dual Enrollment By Olga Rodriguez, Daniel Payares-Montoya, Iwunze Ugo, Niu Gao Aug 21, 2023 College and Career Access Pathways (CCAP) has become the fastest growing dual enrollment option in California, giving a broad range of students access to dual enrollment and setting more students on the path to college. However, CCAP students are slightly less likely to complete milestones than other dual enrollment students.
Report Higher Education and Economic Opportunity in California By Hans Johnson, Marisol Cuellar Mejia Nov 4, 2020 The pandemic and its economic impact have highlighted longstanding social inequities: low-income and less-educated workers are bearing the brunt of both the virus and the downturn. Now more than ever, policymakers and higher education leaders must find avenues for low income and underrepresented students to access the benefits of a college degree.
Report Financing California’s Community Colleges By Patrick Murphy Jan 14, 2004 This report describes funding trends for the CCC system and assesses its ability to meet its future challenges. It finds that CCC revenue growth has fallen behind that of other systems in both California and the rest of the nation, and that CCC’s complicated allocation system is ripe for reform. The author identifies two ways to improve the system’s resource picture. The first is to fund CCC at the level the legislature guaranteed following the passage of Proposition 98 in 1988. The second is to raise community college tuition and fees, currently the lowest in the nation, while maintaining broad access to the system through the increased use of grants, tax credits, and financial aid programs.
Report Modernizing California’s Education Data System By Jacob Jackson, Kevin Cook Nov 28, 2018 Unlike most other states, California lacks a data system that can follow students from K–12 schools to college and into the workforce. Linking data across sectors would help policymakers and educational leaders promote student success and institutional effectiveness.
Fact Sheet State Financial Aid in California By Kevin Cook, Jacob Jackson, Courtney Lee Jun 26, 2019 California’s financial aid programs help large numbers of middle- and low-income students attend college--but many are excluded by complex eligibility requirements, and most non-tuition costs are not covered.
Report California’s Tuition Policy for Higher Education: The Impact of Tuition Increases on Affordability, Access, and Quality By Jacob Jackson, Paul Warren Sep 18, 2018 Tuition has risen dramatically at California’s public colleges and universities, and costs are often unpredictable from year to year. Recent recessions highlighted the strengths and weaknesses of the state’s current approach to tuition.
Policy Brief Policy Brief: English as a Second Language at California’s Community Colleges By Olga Rodriguez, Laura Hill, Daniel Payares-Montoya, Mary Severance Nov 28, 2022 The community college system is implementing reforms to English as a Second Language pathways aimed at improving student outcomes. Given the link between English proficiency and access to high-wage jobs—and the large number of English Learners at community colleges—these reforms represent a unique opportunity to increase economic mobility.
Report Higher Education in California: Investing in Public Higher Education By Hans Johnson, Patrick Murphy, Kevin Cook Oct 1, 2019 State funding for higher education has increased in recent years. Per student funding for the California Community Colleges (CCC) is at an historic high and the Cal Grant program is larger than ever. But the state’s investment in its public universities remains far lower than in the past.
Policy Brief Policy Brief: California’s Higher Education Funding Landscape By Kevin Cook, Jacob Jackson, Iwunze Ugo, Chansonette Buck May 15, 2024 As California looks to establish a more stable post-pandemic funding model for postsecondary institutions, significant challenges lie ahead. Multiple factors could contribute to reduced state revenues and greater reliance on tuition especially for four-year colleges, making costs higher for students.
Report Financing Higher Education Capital Projects By Patrick Murphy, Radhika Mehlotra, Kevin Cook Dec 5, 2018 Aging infrastructure should be a major priority as California seeks to produce more college-educated workers. Modernizing and maintaining facilities at the state’s community colleges, CSU, and UC could cost billions of dollars, with each system facing its own unique challenges.
