Introductory Remarks - Michele Siqueiros Director of the Campaign for College Opportunity (1:41)
Pat Callan President of the National Center for Public Policy & Higher Education (7:17)
Nancy Shulock Director of the Institute for Higher Education Leadership & Policy (14:42)
Assemblymember Anthony Portantino Chair of the Assembly Higher Education Committee (7:19)
Closing Remarks - Michele Siqueiros & Nancy Shulock (2:17)

Summary

California Lags in Higher Education Performance
Regional and Racial/Ethnic Disparities May Prevent California from Competing Globally

Sacramento, Calif. – A new study by the Sacramento State Institute for Higher Education Leadership & Policy (IHELP) makes this message clear:  your chances of competing in the global economy can depend on where in California you live and who you are.  By every major marker, Californians experience vastly different educational opportunities and outcomes depending on where they grow up and on their race and ethnicity. 

The Grades Are In – 2008: Is California Higher Education Measuring Up?  takes an up-close look at California's downward slide in higher education, as well as the opportunity policymakers have to create and implement low-cost, high-impact changes that give the state the upper hand it needs to compete in the global economy.   The analysis was conducted by IHELP as a follow up to the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education's December 2008 report, Measuring Up, that grades all 50 states on the performance of their higher education systems. 

Addressing state and regional issues through effective leadership and policy will set California's higher education system on a stronger course.  With tough economic times at hand, California must look to one of its most valuable resources – its higher education system and the graduates it produces – to provide a workforce for the future.

If you have any questions regarding The Grades Are In - 2008, please contact Nancy Shulock and the Institute for Higher Education Leadership & Policy (IHELP) at nshulock@csus.edu.

If you are reporter and would like to get more information, please contact Blake Ulveling at blake@collegecampaign.org or call him at 510-282-1489.