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?
blog post The Governor’s Revised Budget Targets Tuition at UC and CSU By Kevin Cook Jun 1, 2018 Funding for UC and CSU remains unchanged in Governor Brown’s revised May budget, with both short- and long-term implications for the school systems and California’s economy.
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 Keeping College Affordable for California Students By Kevin Cook, Jacob Jackson Dec 1, 2021 California’s financial aid programs reduce tuition for most students. But the state and its higher education institutions can improve college access and success by providing additional aid to lower-income students, addressing growing non-tuition costs, and eliminating barriers that increase the time it takes to earn a degree.
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 Bricks and Mortarboards: Capital Investment in Colleges By Patrick Murphy, Kevin Cook, Radhika Mehlotra Dec 14, 2017 California needs to rethink its higher education capital finance strategy—a key component in maintaining access for all students and producing an educated workforce.
blog post Testimony: Assessing the Pandemic’s Effects on Student Learning, Absenteeism, and Graduation By Iwunze Ugo Mar 15, 2023 At an Assembly budget subcommittee hearing, PPIC’s Iwunze Ugo discusses how K–12 students are faring as California emerges from the pandemic. His testimony focuses in part on test scores from 2022, the first full administration of state standards tests in nearly three years.
blog post California Remains on Track to Close the Degree Gap By Hans Johnson, Marisol Cuellar Mejia May 18, 2021 Six years ago, PPIC projected a shortage of 1.1 million highly educated workers in California by 2030. Today—despite the disruptions caused by the pandemic—the state is on track to close this gap.
blog post Testimony: Transfer Is Key to Closing the Workforce Skills Gap By Hans Johnson Mar 20, 2018 California faces a shortage of 1.1 million highly educated workers. Making transferring from community college more efficient will help.
blog post California Needs More College Prep Courses By Niu Gao Nov 30, 2017 To improve student readiness for college, districts and schools need to increase the number of college prep courses.