College Opportunity News

2) Innovative programs clear student paths to college success – "Practices with Promise" report highlights 15 programs that show promise for the state's future  << Return to the top

Educators are taking enormous initiative to improve college access and success, according to the report 'Practices with Promise'. These programs are making a difference for students today and show promise for the state's future. As California policymakers and education leaders improve educational and economic competitiveness, they may look to the lessons learned from these working solutions.

Practices with Promise is a unique opportunity for educators across the state to put forward emerging solutions for improving college access, success, and affordability based on their own experiences at their institutions. 

Last spring, 120 practices were submitted from across the state.  After extensive review by education leaders and advocates, 15 exemplary practices are being highlighted for their quality, innovation, and potential to shed new light on what California education leaders and policy-makers can do.

All 120 submissions offer valuable insights and are included in the full report.

These four news articles focus on practices that are helping students master "basic skills" in math and english and make transitions from high school to college.  These were major themes of "Practices with Promise".

Contra Costa times article about three Las Positas College (Livermore) programs

San Gabriel Valley Tribune article about Math Jam at Pasadena City College

Santa Cruz Sentinel article about Digital Bridge Academy Cabrillo College (Watsonville)

Fresno Bee article about FastForward to Academic Success at Fresno State University

Click here to check out more of the news coverage, and read the press release, Executive Summary, or download the full report.

3) Governor Schwarzenegger signs AB 668 into law:  legislation will help more community college students receive federal and state financial aid  << Return to the top

The legislation does not impose a mandate on local community colleges, but requests that they conduct two major changes to financial aid delivery. The first is to ensure that every student is informed, at the time of enrollment, of the availability of financial aid and that assistance is available at the financial aid office. The second equally important measure is for colleges to notify each student receiving the Board of Governors Fee Waiver who has not completed a federal student aid application that he or she has an opportunity to receive additional state and federal financial aid by completing the FAFSA.

The proposal is one step toward increasing the availability of financial aid to community college students, thereby improving access and success. It responds to an important report by the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education which found that community college students in California access federal aid at lower rates than students nationally.

We want to extend our thanks to Assemblymember Anthony Portantino for introducing this bill and to Governor Schwarzenegger for signing it into law. We look forward to continued work in this area.

4) 2007-2008 "Save Me a Spot in College" youth scholarship contest kicks-off  << Return to the top

This year, students will received scholarships ranging from $500 to $2500 in three categories: written word, poster, and TV ad.  There will be a winner for middle school (6th through 8th grades) and high school (9th through 12th grades) for each category.

The contest is open to all 6-12th grade students in California, and it's completely FREE to enter. The entry deadline is March 15, 2008.  All winners will be announced in early June.

We encourage you to promote student participation at your school, community organization or church.  Free promotional materials (postcards, flyers, and posters) are available. Click here for a Partnership Form, where you can request these materials and get your school/organization recognized for its efforts to involve youth in this contest.  Students can still participate in the contest if there is no Partnership established.  Check out this link to learn more about using this contest at your school.

Click on this link to the contest website to learn more about the contest, how students can register and submit an entry, contest rules, and other helpful information.

5) Invitation to upcoming health workforce study briefings  << Return to the top

Space is limited, so please RSVP to Denise Lassalle at denise@collegecampaign.org and indicate which briefing you will attend:

• November 19, 10am-12pm, Pasadena (hosted with Kaiser Permanente)
  Kaiser Permanente Southern California Headquarters, 393 East Walnut Street
  Please RSVP by as soon as possible for this briefing.

• December 10, 10am-12pm, Oakland (hosted with Kaiser Permanente)
  Preservation Park, Nile Hall, 668 13th Street, (off Martin Luther King between 12th and 13th)

• December 11, 10am-12pm, Sacramento (hosted with Undersecretary Stephanie Leach)
  California Labor and Workforce Development Agency, 23rd Floor Conference Room, 801 K St.

This new study provides an in-depth analysis of workforce and educational demands in the health care industry. Please join us at this briefing to:

• learn the findings from the new study, including factors driving supply and demand as well as an analysis of 15 key occupations including nursing and allied health

• meet others from health care, business, labor, government, education and community groups and hear their perspectives on the health workforce crisis

• discuss needed investment and policy both through programs targeted at health care and solutions aimed at improving overall educational attainment.

Please contact us at 510-645-1362 with any questions.