Higher Education

The climate of STEM higher education programs can be unwelcoming for some minority populations. A state-funded program is trying to change that by providing mentors, relationship-building and financial assistance to California college students.

Students who commute to college by bus and train in the Los Angeles area often experience delays and public safety threats. But they also don’t have to deal with the high costs of driving, such as parking and gas.

The ruling allows states to ban transgender student athletes from playing on girls’ and women’s teams, but doesn’t require it. States like California can keep their current policies.

The increased competition between California's universities and community colleges shows why the state needs to update its 56-year-old higher education plan.

California prisons have given 30,000 laptops to incarcerated students. Inmates say using technology prepares them to enter the workforce. As community colleges start replacing correspondence courses by mail with online-only classes, students and professors debate whether this type of learning is any more effective.

A program that lets veterans trade fatigues for a lab coat took a hit when federal officials tried freezing millions in grant dollars. It sparked support for a legislative fix.

The federal government is set to expand financial aid for students in short-term job training programs starting July 1, but Californians may have to wait until the fall to benefit because of administrative and regulatory challenges.

California Indian Nations College in Palm Desert sees a bright future for its community-centered approach to higher education for Native students. Recently accredited, the college supports two proposed bills that would add tribal colleges to the official definition of higher education in California as well as ensure units are transferable to and from other colleges.

Historical voter turnout data show that voters aged 29 and younger disproportionately sit out primary elections in California compared to the general voting population. Still, a few governor candidates have been targeting young voters in their campaigns, particularly through social media and college organizations.

About 40% of California’s community college courses are online now, redefining education. These courses are more accessible, college officials say, but they come with serious drawbacks.