Immigration enforcement agents are inciting panic at California’s community colleges.
Adam Echelman
CalMatters
Community colleges reporter for CalMatters in partnership with Open Campus.
Posted inCalifornia
California’s San Joaquin Valley needs more doctors. New medical schools are years away
The San Joaquin Valley has fewer doctors than other parts of California and a long history of poor access to medical care. New medical schools could help increase the pipeline of new physicians, though it will take years.
Posted inCalifornia
A new law holds colleges accountable if their grads don’t earn more than $36,000 a year
A new law requires colleges to prove that their graduates earn more than someone with only a high school diploma or else students could lose access to federal loans. About 300 California programs may fail the test, including many cosmetology and some arts programs.
Posted inCalifornia
Trump wanted to cut the Department of Education into irrelevancy. A new report shows how he did it
The Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Education tried to assess the extent and impact of the Trump Administration’s initial layoffs and cuts in early 2025. The report shows which offices were hit hardest but leaves some questions unanswered.
Posted inCalifornia
Newsom promised to help Californians build new careers. Now, the money is running out
Gov Gavin Newsom made job training and the creation of a master plan for career education part of his agenda. Now, key workforce initiatives may get no new funding.
Posted inCalifornia
The federal government is offering new job-training grants. California says it’s not ready yet
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.
Posted inCalifornia
‘I felt like I wasn’t learning’: Community college students struggle with online education
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.
Posted inCalifornia
California community colleges crack down on fake students stealing financial aid
After a spike in fraudulent applications to California’s community colleges, school officials say they are getting better at detecting and preventing fraud, though it still happens.
Posted inCalifornia
Training to be a teacher is expensive. These California programs can help
California has a persistent shortage of qualified teachers. New programs offer a solution, though they are still relatively small in scale.
Posted inCalifornia
LA needs 100,000 construction workers. Community colleges are racing to train them
Los Angeles has an acute shortage of qualified construction workers as the region tries to rebuild from the Eaton and Palisades Fires. One community college is trying to help.