Education

People attended a rally against tuition hikes, including students, instructors, and union members, at the California State University Chancellor’s office in Long Beach on July 11, 2023. Photo by Ted Soqui for CalMatters

Higher Education

Tuition hike of 34% across five years coming to California State University

The tuition increases were forecast earlier this year, when a Cal State task force concluded the system needs at least $1.5 billion annually in new revenue to afford student services and bolster its academic offerings.

By Mikhail Zinshteyn • September 13, 2023

Students walking along the walkway to the Academic Village building 2 at the Madera Community College campus on Aug. 28, 2023. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local

Higher Education

Want a degree without classes and lectures? California community colleges test a new approach

Eight community colleges in California are testing out a new education model, one that defines success by the skills a student learns, not the time they spend in a classroom. But changing the traditional education system isn’t easy.

By Adam Echelman • September 12, 2023

Welding instructor Mitchell Schmidt teaches a student to use welding tools during a welding course at Lakeshore College in Wisconsin on Aug. 16, 2023. Lakeshore College offers courses that practice competency-based education that some California schools are hoping to adopt. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local

Higher Education

The inspiration for California’s ‘grand experiment’ at community colleges? Wisconsin

In Wisconsin, two community colleges have gotten rid of traditional grades and lectures to offer self-paced education. As California tests its own version in the coming years, what can the state expect?

By Adam Echelman • September 12, 2023

Students walk through campus at Sacramento City College on Feb. 23, 2022. Photo by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters

Higher Education

A plan to guarantee community college transfer to California’s public universities died. Now it’s back

The bill, if approved, would begin at UCLA, with other campuses added later. But not everyone is on board with the latest plan.

By Mikhail Zinshteyn • September 12, 2023

A stack of books in Sacramento on Sept. 8, 2023.

K-12 Education

California pushing back on school book bans

California would penalize school boards that ban books based on inclusion of certain groups under a bill the governor is expected to sign into law. But some fear unintended consequences.

By Carolyn Jones • September 8, 2023

A student holds up a nurse note for Catalina Cisneros, secretary at Loma Vista Elementary School, on the first day of school in Salinas on Aug. 8, 2023. Photo by Semantha Norris, CalMatters

K-12 Education

Soaring chronic absenteeism in California schools is at ‘pivotal moment’

Nearly a third of K-12 students statewide were chronically absent in 2020-21, more than three times the pre-pandemic rate. Some school officials fear that pattern will become the new normal.

By Carolyn Jones • September 7, 2023

Students walking onto campus at Fresno City College on Oct. 3, 2022. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local

Higher Education

Legislative fix would save student housing at some California community colleges

A June budget deal required community colleges to raise their own money to build affordable student housing. Some campuses said that plan prevented them from building the dorms, even with help from the state to pay the debt.

By Mikhail Zinshteyn • September 6, 2023

Students move into the University of California, Berkeley dorms in Berkeley on Aug. 16, 2023. Photo by Semantha Norris, CalMatters

Education

Why new UC Berkeley housing law, if approved, won’t clear the way to build dorms yet

Assemblymember Buffy Wicks proposed legislation to help get around a court's rejection of a UC Berkeley housing plan. But even if the law is approved, its fate is in the hands of the state Supreme Court.

By Mikhail Zinshteyn • August 30, 2023

People show support for three statewide initiatives: schools to notify parents when their child requests to be treated as transgender, preventing biological boys competing against biological girls and prevent sterilization of children, at a press conference at the state Capitol in Sacramento on Aug. 28, 2023. Photo by Rahul Lal for CalMatters

K-12 Education

As culture wars escalate, California officials push back on conservative school board policies

Under a system that has long prioritized local control for school districts. state officials now are fighting some recent board decisions regarding LGBTQ students.

By Carolyn Jones and Alexei Koseff • August 29, 2023

Los Angeles Mission College in Los Angeles on Aug. 10, 2023.

Higher Education

Why Cal State is pushing back on community colleges’ plans to offer bachelor’s degrees

A new law allows community colleges to offer bachelor’s degrees, an option for students unable to attend a four-year institution. But California State University officials are objecting to many of those proposed programs.

By Adam Echelman • August 11, 2023