blog post Video: Keeping Students on Track for College By Linda Strean Dec 4, 2017 Only about 30% of California 9th graders are expected to earn a bachelor’s degree—a startling statistic in a state that faces a shortfall of college graduates. PPIC researchers and a panel of experts discuss the challenges and solutions for improving college pathways.
blog post Supporting Older Workers in a Changing Labor Market By Julien Lafortune, Sarah Bohn, Hans Johnson Aug 22, 2024 Although older adults—those aged 55 to 84—are far less likely to work than younger adults, older Californians are working longer than in prior decades, as many put off retirement. What are the key workforce trends among older Californians? And what are the implications for the state's labor market—and for public policy?
blog post DACA and California’s Future By Hans Johnson Sep 7, 2017 The DACA program has been particularly significant in California—home to 70,000 “Dreamers” and other undocumented immigrants who attend public colleges.
Report Student Debt and the Value of a College Degree By Hans Johnson, Marisol Cuellar Mejia, David Ezekiel, Betsey Zeiger Jun 3, 2013 Student debt in California has increased dramatically in recent years, but college is still a good investment. Californians with college degrees are more likely to be employed than those with high school diplomas, and they earn higher wages. Policymakers can do a lot to help make higher education more affordable—for example, by developing tuition savings programs and improving pathways from community colleges to four-year schools. Providing additional funding is essential, but finding ways keep costs down should also be pursued. This research was supported with funding from the Donald Bren Foundation.
blog post New Federal Data Sheds Light on Student Debt in California By Hans Johnson Aug 9, 2019 For the first time ever, the federal government has released data on college graduates’ student debt by type of degree and field of study.
Report Improving College Graduation Rates: A Closer Look at California State University By Kevin Cook, Jacob Jackson May 17, 2016 Low college graduation rates come at a high cost—lower salaries, lower tax revenue, and fewer college graduates in the workforce. At California State University (CSU), the nation's largest university system, graduation rates have an outsized financial and economic impact on students and the state. CSU has made strides in improving graduation rates, but there is more work to be done. The system continues to struggle with graduation gaps—underrepresented students are much less likely to complete their degree compared to their peers, and these gaps have not narrowed over time. Also, CSU's on-time (four-year) graduation rates still lag behind those of similar universities nationwide. By 2025, CSU aims to further increase graduation rates while cutting graduation gaps in half. To assist campus planning for this goal, we identify several promising programs and policies. More broadly, the CSU Chancellor's Office must work with campuses to evaluate and expand successful efforts, and the state must play a role in supporting new policies to move the needle on graduation gaps and on-time graduation.
blog post Engaging Parents in School Funding Decisions By Sonja Petek May 7, 2014 Under the new funding formula for schools, districts are required to seek input from parents while developing their accountability plans. How effective have districts’ outreach efforts been so far?
blog post In a Tight Labor Market, Does a College Degree Still Matter for Employment? By Sarah Bohn, Julien Lafortune Jun 16, 2022 The overall employment rate has returned to around pre-pandemic levels for California workers with and without a college degree. Still, among most demographic groups the recovery has lagged for workers without a degree.
Policy Brief Policy Brief: Strengthening California’s Transfer Pathway By Marisol Cuellar Mejia, Hans Johnson, Cesar Alesi Perez, Jacob Jackson Aug 29, 2023 By increasing the number of students who transfer to four-year institutions, California can preserve higher education’s critical role as a ladder of economic mobility and ensure that college graduates fully reflect the racial and ethnic diversity of the state’s youth.
