Eight community colleges in California are testing out a new education model, one that defines success by the skills a student learns, not the time they spend in a classroom. But changing the traditional education system isn’t easy.
California
Partner Newsroom
CalMatters is a nonprofit, nonpartisan newsroom committed to explaining California policy and politics.
Local Reporter
![]()
Adam Echelman covers California community colleges. Email him at aechelman@calmatters.org.
More from California
Read recent coverage from across the state about the role of college in equity and the workforce.
We also partner with Berkeleyside.
The inspiration for California’s ‘grand experiment’ at community colleges? Wisconsin
In Wisconsin, two community colleges have gotten rid of traditional grades and lectures to offer self-paced education. As California tests its own version in the coming years, what can the state expect?
Why Cal State is pushing back on community colleges’ plans to offer bachelor’s degrees
A new law allows community colleges to offer bachelor’s degrees, an option for students unable to attend a four-year institution. But California State University officials are objecting to many of those proposed programs.
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?
Disparities persist in California’s transfer process
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.
Most community college students hope to earn a bachelor’s degree. CCAC students have better odds than others nationwide
Transferring from a community college to a four-year school can be fraught. CCAC believes the process is a key to strengthening the Pittsburgh-area workforce.
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.
One group of students fled community college in record numbers during the pandemic. Can these schools lure them back?
Community colleges saw record declines in enrollment during the pandemic, but students 50 years and older fell the farthest. Now, some colleges are trying to reel them back in.
‘Everybody assumes that it’s like the rest of California and it’s not’: Rural LGBTQ students and administrators describe campus strife.
In rural and conservative-leaning towns and cities across California, LGBTQ+ student groups are small in number and face homophobic and transphobic incidents on and off campus. Some help is on the way.
Potential budget cut puts community college students at risk by further delaying building maintenance
Proposed budget cuts stemming from California’s budget deficit mean community colleges may be unable to do things like improve AC, heating, safety upgrades or follow through on promises about major programs and infrastructure projects.