Feather River College is still reeling from the 2021 Dixie Fire, which destroyed hundreds of homes in the surrounding community and warped the housing market. The college is one of many schools that have tried — and failed — to secure state grants to build more student housing.
Adam Echelman
CalMatters
Community colleges reporter for CalMatters in partnership with Open Campus.
Posted inCalifornia
Fact check: Did Gavin Newsom really help create 625,000 new job opportunities in California?
In 2018, Newsom promised to add 500,000 new apprenticeships in the decade after taking office. The state is making progress, but how much depends on the definition of “apprenticeship.”
Posted inCalifornia
California wants to give degrees based on skills — not grades. It’s dividing this college
California’s community colleges are experimenting with a new model, known as competency-based education, but at one school, it’s created a divide between faculty and college administrators.
Posted inCalifornia
Here’s how California plans to get millions of adults without college degrees into better jobs
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s “Master Plan for Career Education” seeks to help the more than 7 million adults in California who lack college degrees by giving them college credit for their work experience and by changing the requirements on some state jobs.
Posted inCalifornia
Conservative professors and students are suing California’s community colleges, and winning
In numerous lawsuits, conservative professors and students allege that California’s community colleges are hindering their right to free speech under the First Amendment.
Posted inCalifornia
Culture wars start to roil elections for California’s community college trustees
In Southern California, candidates and political action committees are spending hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaigns for community college board seats. Elsewhere, the races are uncontested.
Posted inCalifornia
College athletes are getting paid because of a California law. Will the state go even further?
After leading the way nationally, efforts by California lawmakers to advance the rights of student athletes have stalled. No lawmakers appear poised to take up the issue in the near future.
Posted inCalifornia
Raw sewage and bursting pipes: Why California community colleges are asking voters for repairs
This November, California voters will decide on Proposition 2, a $10 billion education bond. Some community colleges are counting on the money to fix critical buildings and protect the safety of students.
Posted inCalifornia
Career education is redundant and convoluted. Gavin Newsom says he’ll fix it
California taxpayers fund career education at high schools, adult schools, community colleges, regional occupational programs and for-profit trade schools. Critics say it reflects “an incredible lack of coordination.” The governor says he’s producing a “master plan” to remedy that.
Posted inCalifornia
How California channeled money to for-profit schools — while they were under investigation
The state uses federal dollars intended to help students train for better jobs, but the money often goes to for-profit schools, even some under investigation.