For nearly a decade, California community colleges have gradually increased the number of ways students can receive college credit for their prior work experience. But the state is facing challenges in its goal to expand access to these credits, writes CalMatters’ Adam Echelman.
Credit for prior working experience enables students to bypass some classes, saving them time and money. In 2018 California passed a law that later required every college to adopt a policy for awarding students credit for prior learning or work experience. The California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office also wants at least 250,000 students by 2030 to have earned credit for their previous work experiences.
But state funding to widely implement the 2018 law has been slow going, and while the state developed standardized systems to assess students’ work experience and make it easy for students to petition for credit, only half of the state’s 116 community colleges actively adopt these methods.
The ad hoc administrative process can be complicated for faculty members too, who at times can find it difficult to evaluate and translate the various work experiences of students into equivalent college courses.
Awareness is another problem: Some students don’t know their experience can earn them college credit.
Laylah Rivers was a paratrooper in the U.S. Army before attending West Los Angeles College. Months after enrolling, a college dean pointed out that she could receive credit for her time in the military and her various stints at tech companies. Ultimately, Rivers earned seven credits, the equivalent of two classes.
- Rivers: “I think it should just be built into the registration process instead of people having to find out about it. It took me a whole semester to figure it out.”
CalMatters events: Mi Escuelita, a San Diego preschool, is transforming how young children recover from trauma. Join our event today, in person in Chula Vista or virtually, to hear from California leaders in trauma-informed care about what works, what it takes to sustain it and how policymakers can expand these programs. Register today.
Other Stories You Should Know
CalMatters talks CARE Court on Tradeoffs
How do you help someone who doesn’t want help?
Families of people with serious mental illness, behavioral health experts and policymakers have been asking this question for years.
In 2022 Gov. Gavin Newsom proposed a solution he hoped could finally give Californians struggling with mental illness and their families real hope: CARE Court.
CARE Court now operates in every county and allows families or first responders to petition courts for care on behalf of someone with severe mental illness.
A little over two years into the program, CalMatters has put together the most comprehensive look yet into the program. This series includes firsthand accounts from family members, many of whom initially supported CARE Court but have since turned against it. It also features interviews with first responders, policymakers and mental health advocates.
CalMatters’ Marisa Kendall, who helped lead this investigation, dug into the findings this week with the health policy podcast, Tradeoffs.
Dems disagree on local control again
Democratic legislators are arguing over a new bill that seeks to shore up loopholes in a pro-housing law that squeaked by last year, writes CalMatters’ Nadia Lathan.
In 2025 lawmakers passed legislation that makes it easier for developers to build housing near major transit hubs. The law, backed by Democrats who want to speed up housing, faced opposition from city governments and legislators from both political parties because it overrides the planning decisions of local governments.
Some cities have managed to sidestep the law by claiming they don’t have a major transit station, much to the consternation of critics who disagree. This new bill aims to close the loophole — and some lawmakers aren’t happy about it.
Last week, seven Democratic state senators joined Republicans to reject the bill, including Sen. Catherine Blakespear of Encinitas. It was a rare move on her part, since most of her bill votes have aligned with the pro-housing group, California YIMBY.
The bill passed the Senate floor regardless.
And lastly: What laws are working? 🤔
The leader of the California Assembly wants to hold a series of hearings to reassess roughly a dozen laws to see how well they’re working. Though the move is being touted as a push toward accountability, legislators get to pick which laws get reviewed. Read more from CalMatters’ Yue Stella Yu.
California Voices
CalMatters columnist Dan Walters: California’s population is plateauing, and shrinking populations among other blue states can ultimately shift congressional seats and presidential electoral votes.
CalMatters contributor Jim Newton: Rising liberalism, the populist appeal of taxing the rich and opposition to the Trump administration serve as signals to L.A.’s steady shift to the left.
Other things worth your time:
Supreme Court lets CA use its new, Democratic-friendly congressional map // NPR
Dem CA governor candidates seek daylight during first debate // The Sacramento Bee
A long-awaited CA water policy promises balance. Opponents call it an ‘extinction plan’ // San Francisco Chronicle
‘Glowing fish’ exempt from proposed ban on gene-edited pets in CA // The Sacramento Bee
Bay Area counties trade immigrants’ personal data for millions of dollars // The San Francisco Standard
Super Bowl security ramps up as ICE fears shadow the festivities // The Mercury News
SF opens homeless shelter for people forced to move during Super Bowl // KQED
LA County cuts nearly $200M in homeless services to close budget gap // Los Angeles Times
Palisades fire victims will see building permit fee relief during recovery // Los Angeles Times