Education

School food service workers train at the Culinary Institute of America as part of Farm to School, an initiative to provide healthier lunches in California schools, in Napa on Aug. 3, 2023. Photo by Semantha Norris, CalMatters

K-12 Education

Goodbye hotdogs, hello vegan masala: California’s school lunches are going gourmet

Last year California began providing free school lunches to all TK-12 students, regardless of family income. Now, with an influx of state and federal money, school districts are revamping kitchens and training staff so they can provide freshly made, healthy meals.

By

Carolyn Jones

• August 10, 2023

J. Paul Leonard Library at San Francisco State University in San Francisco on July 7, 2023. Photo by Semantha Norris, CalMatters

Higher Education

How many Cal State employees are accused of sexual harassment? Here’s why it’s hard to know

Two recent reports on sexual harassment complaints filed against Cal State employees conclude inconsistent data collection makes it difficult to determine a reliable number.

By

Mikhail Zinshteyn

• August 7, 2023

College Beat

College students with Hollywood dreams see industry strikes as key to livable careers

With the Writers Guild of America and the Screen Actors Guild on strike, Hollywood has shut down. As workers demand fair compensation and regulation over the use of artificial intelligence, college students hoping to break into the entertainment industry are caught up in the historic moment.

By

Ryan Loyola

• August 7, 2023

Marketing for California Community Colleges at the Sacramento International Airport in Sacramento on July 31, 2023. Photo by Rahul Lal for CalMatters

Higher Education

Drones, tacos, and billboards: How California community colleges are trying to get students back to school

After a historic drop in enrollment during the COVID-19 pandemic, California community colleges are ramping up marketing efforts, spending more than $40 million in state and federal dollars to lure students back. Is it working?

By

Adam Echelman

• August 4, 2023

Parents, students, and staff of Chino Valley Unified School District hold up signs in favor of protecting LGBTQ+ policies at Don Antonio Lugo High School on June 15, 2023. Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG

K-12 Education

When culture wars rip through California school boards, should the state intervene?

California grants school boards much local control, but some recent events have pushed the state to rein that in.

By

Carolyn Jones

• July 28, 2023

West Los Angeles College in Culver City on July 17, 2023. Photo by Julie A Hotz for CalMatters

Higher Education

California wants more community college students in four-year schools. Why are most failing to transfer?

Transfer to a four-year institution is a benchmark for success among community colleges, but the numbers are low and disparities across the system persist, especially between colleges in rural areas and those in wealthy suburbs.

By

Adam Echelman

and

Erica Yee

• July 24, 2023

Presidents at CSU listen to public comments in Long Beach on May 23, 2023. Photo by Lauren Justice for CalMatters

Higher Education

Cal State recently was forced to deal with several sexual harassment allegations. A new report finds it repeatedly fell short

After several high-profile sexual harassment cases, Cal State needs more training, staff and outreach to students and employees, an outside firm concludes.

By

Mikhail Zinshteyn

• July 17, 2023

Fomer CSU Fullerton President Mildred García speaks during an event in 2016. Photo via California State University, Fullerton

Higher Education

Cal State has a new chancellor. Her challenges include the system’s sexual misconduct allegations and massive budget gap

Mildred García will take over a system confronting a budget shortfall, declining enrollment and complaints about how Cal State officials have handled sexual misconduct allegations.

By

Mikhail Zinshteyn

• July 12, 2023

Mateo Fuentes, a first-generation college student, photographed at Mt. San Antonio College on July 6, 2023. Photo by Lauren Justice for CalMatters

Higher Education

Who is a first-generation college student? California colleges, universities can’t agree.

Many California colleges and universities define “first-generation college student” differently, creating a confusing situation for students to navigate.

By

Adam Echelman

• July 10, 2023

Elise Byun, student athlete and member of the Cal Womens Gymnastics, at the University of California, Berkeley in Berkeley on June 30, 2023. Photo by Semantha Norris, CalMatters

College Beat

Should universities share athletics revenue with players? California bill sparks backlash.

A proposal to set up degree completion funds for California student athletes has met with stiff opposition from universities and the NCAA. College athletes could earn a share of the revenue they generate under the bill — as much as $25,000 for each year that they played their sport. But the bill’s author has delayed it until 2024 after opponents charged the fund would draw money away from less lucrative sports like gymnastics and swimming.

By

Ryan Loyola

• July 10, 2023