2023

Higher Education

If the state cannot afford to expand the Cal Grant program, key trade-offs loom  

Some advocates believe the state should expand the Cal Grant program next year, even if that means pulling money from a financial aid program that benefits middle class students.

By Mikhail Zinshteyn • October 27, 2023

K-12 Education

A shortage of teachers for computer science classes puts California near the bottom of a national instruction ranking

Only 40% of California high schools offer computer science classes. A new law aims to make it easier to certify computer science teachers.

By Carolyn Jones • October 27, 2023

CalMatters en Español

Más trabajadores de California cayeron en la pobreza cuando expiró la ayuda económica por la pandemia

Read this story in English. La tasa de pobreza de California aumentó en el primer trimestre de 2023, el último trimestre medido por el Instituto de Políticas Públicas de California. La pobreza aumentó del 11.7% en 2021 al 13.2%, dijo el instituto, con 5 millones de personas viviendo en la pobreza.   Los programas de redes […]

By Alejandra Reyes-Velarde • October 26, 2023

CalMatters en Español

La visita de Newsom muestra una realidad de los autos eléctricos: China tiene el control de la industria de las baterías

Read this story in English. Cuando se trata de los esfuerzos de California para abordar el cambio climático, China y California están vinculados de manera crítica: el país más poblado del mundo procesa la gran mayoría de los metales raros necesarios para las baterías de los automóviles eléctricos. Esta semana, el gobernador Gavin Newsom, un demócrata, […]

By Alejandro Lazo • October 26, 2023

Commentary

Effects of college isolation are surfacing for California’s young professionals

After years of isolation and virtual classes, young professionals in California's workforce are reportedly struggling with greater mental health challenges and burnout. If colleges and companies don't pay more attention, there could be economic consequences.

By Julie Lynem • October 26, 2023

Environment

Newsom’s visit underscores electric car reality: China holds the keys to battery industry

China modeled some of its climate programs on policies first adopted by California. Now, California depends on the world’s most populous country for essential materials in its electric vehicle ambitions.

By Alejandro Lazo • October 26, 2023

California Divide

More working Californians slipped into poverty as pandemic aid expired

California’s poverty rate climbed and its working poor grew this spring, says the Public Policy Institute of California. Safety net programs played a major role in poverty rate changes.

By Alejandra Reyes-Velarde • October 26, 2023

Water

Western States’ planned water cuts are enough to avert a Colorado River crisis, for now

Wet weather and planned cuts by California, Arizona and Nevada averted declines that could have threatened water deliveries and power production — but long-term threats to the Colorado River remain.

By Rachel Becker • October 25, 2023

CalMatters en Español

Las universidades de California no cumplen con la fecha límite para ofrecer inscripción prioritaria a estudiantes que son padres de familia

Read this story in English. Eran más de las 8:00 de la mañana cuando Elisa Arquieta terminó de dejar a su hija en la escuela secundaria y a sus dos hijos menores en la guardería de su universidad. Sólo después de dejarlos se dio cuenta de que ya había pasado mucho tiempo desde la apertura […]

By Atmika Iyer and Briana Mendez-Padilla • October 25, 2023

College Beat

California colleges miss the deadline to offer student parents priority registration

Signed by the governor in September 2022, AB 2881 aims to identify and address the needs of student parents in California by offering them priority registration. Coordinators and advocates are optimistic the law will formalize data collection, allowing them to better serve this student population that represents 1 in 5 students nationally.

By Atmika Iyer and Briana Mendez-Padilla • October 25, 2023