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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.

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Posted inCalifornia

Getting paid to go to school? California’s community colleges try it out

By Adam Echelman, CalMattersMarch 1, 2024March 1, 2024

As California’s cost of living goes up, community college has become unaffordable for many students. As part of a $30 million pilot program, some California community college students will get paid by the hour to attend school and do homework.

Posted inCalifornia

Thousands of Californians got a shot at better careers through this program. Is it working?

By Adam Echelman, CalMattersFebruary 14, 2024February 14, 2024

State officials want to prepare more Californians for good jobs — those that pay a stable, living wage and offer other benefits, such as a pathway for promotions. The state has spent roughly $370 million on these workforce programs, but the results are mixed.

Posted inCalifornia

Should state government jobs require a college degree? Why California is rethinking its rules

By Adam Echelman, CalMattersJanuary 31, 2024January 31, 2024

California is removing degree requirements from jobs, but state leaders differ about the right approach.

Posted inCalifornia

Why California community colleges are reluctant to spend more than $500 million in state money

By Adam Echelman, CalMattersJanuary 16, 2024January 19, 2024

Last year the governor proposed asking community colleges to return their COVID relief money. Although that idea was dropped, college officials fear committing dollars that may be taken away.

Posted inCalifornia

This community college has 1 full-time Black faculty member out of 165. Why campuses struggle with diversity

By Adam Echelman, CalMattersJanuary 4, 2024January 4, 2024

“Progress remains slow,” according to a recent report on faculty diversity at California’s community colleges. For Nikia Chaney, the sole full-time Black faculty member at Cabrillo College, the experience is personal.

Posted inCalifornia

Fewer undocumented students have DACA. California’s colleges want to help, even if the options are limited

By Adam Echelman, CalMattersNovember 30, 2023March 13, 2024

Most undocumented college students in California are not eligible for DACA anymore, creating new dilemmas for students and colleges around employment, financial aid and the threat of deportation.

Posted inCalifornia

Community college enrollment plummeted during the pandemic. Here’s one reason why it’s now turning around

By Adam Echelman, CalMattersNovember 13, 2023November 14, 2023

California’s community colleges are seeing enrollment gains for the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Older students — those over 50 — are some of the first to return.

Posted inCalifornia

The need for student services at community colleges has changed dramatically since the 1960s. Has state law kept up?

By Adam Echelman, CalMattersOctober 31, 2023November 1, 2023

State law requires community colleges to spend at least half their general fund on instructors. But administrators say they want more flexibility to pay for the growing need for student services.

Posted inCalifornia

She lost her financial aid while homeless. A bill on Newsom’s desk could help students like her.

By Adam Echelman, CalMattersSeptember 29, 2023October 3, 2023

To qualify for financial aid, students must maintain a certain grade-point-average, but many don’t. A bill on Gov. Newsom’s desk would make it easier for students to stay in college.

Posted inCalifornia

California community college enrollment is up, but one group of students lags behind

By Adam Echelman, CalMattersSeptember 27, 2023September 27, 2023

After a historic decline in community college enrollment during the pandemic, students are returning to school again, according to the state’s most recent data. But students between the ages of 20 and 30 are lagging behind.

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