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.
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.
blog post Video: Community College Math in California’s New Era of Student Access By Stephanie Barton Dec 14, 2021 PPIC researcher Cesar Alesi Perez presents a new study on landmark reforms to assessment and placement at California community colleges, and an expert panel discusses strategies for promoting student success and increasing equity.
blog post Mapping Equitable Access to Math at California’s Community Colleges By Olga Rodriguez, Bonnie Brooks, Vicki Hsieh May 11, 2021 The state’s community colleges have made tremendous progress in expanding access to transfer-level math courses, but overall gains mask important variation across campuses.
Policy Brief Policy Brief: The Effects of COVID-19 on Transfer-Intending Students in California’s Community Colleges By Cesar Alesi Perez, Jacob Jackson, Marisol Cuellar Mejia, Olga Rodriguez ... Oct 19, 2022 After COVID-19 hit in spring 2020, enrollment fell among transfer-intending students at community colleges. Fewer students persisted through subsequent terms and fewer completed courses; however, more students reached critical transfer milestones than among pre-pandemic cohorts—a likely upshot of recent reforms.
event The Effects of COVID-19 on Transfer-Intending Students in California’s Community Colleges Nov 3, 2022 The pandemic widened gaps in access for community college students—and the full effects are just beginning to emerge. PPIC researcher Cesar Alesi Perez will present findings on the impact of COVID-19 on transfer-intending students. Then an expert panel will consider these outcomes in light of pre-pandemic reforms and discuss actions the state can take to strengthen enrollment and narrow equity gaps.
blog post Video: Pathways to College Completion in the San Joaquin Valley By Chansonette Buck Aug 29, 2024 California’s San Joaquin Valley has the lowest college enrollment and completion rates in the state, yet it could be on the verge of dramatic improvements. PPIC Higher Education Center director Olga Rodriguez and a panel of experts discuss expanding support in the valley for college-going pathways.
blog post Testimony: Enrollment Declines in California Community Colleges By Olga Rodriguez Nov 14, 2022 For a hearing of Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Education Finance, PPIC’s Olga Rodriguez presented research on pandemic-induced enrollment declines at community colleges—with the largest decreases among Asian, Black, and Latino students—and discussed strategies for boosting student access and educational attainment.
press release Broadening Access to Transfer-Level Courses Dramatically Increases Success for Community College Students Oct 7, 2019
Policy Brief Policy Brief: Community College Math in California’s New Era of Student Access By Marisol Cuellar Mejia, Olga Rodriguez, Hans Johnson, Cesar Alesi Perez Dec 7, 2021 After AB 705 expanded access to courses needed for transfer, the rate of students passing introductory math shot up. Racial equity gaps in access have narrowed, but some students are still enrolling in courses that don’t count for transfer.