TOPIC

College access & postsecondary success

College Access and postsecondary success

Preparation for college and career is critical for both individual and societal economic prosperity. Yet, educational attainment is not sufficient to meet economic demand and educational opportunities are not equally distributed. State policymakers and education leaders across the state are working to increase opportunity and improve student outcomes.

At the heart of these efforts is better alignment of California’s K–12 education system with higher education systems and the labor market to ensure successful transitions for young adults between high school and postsecondary pursuits.

In this topic area, PACE researchers investigate students’ educational trajectories and the state and local endeavors to decrease disparities in access to educational opportunities and improve student success in college and career.

Recent Topic Publications
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An Update on Dual Enrollment Participation Among Public High School Graduates
California policymakers and educators are promoting dual enrollment to boost educational attainment and equal access to postsecondary opportunities. Assembly Bill 288, enacted in 2016, encouraged high school-community college collaboration, and…
The Transition to College: Voices From the Class of 2023
Voices From the Class of 2023
This brief examines the experiences of California high school seniors from the graduating class of 2023, offering insights into their preparation, plans, and concerns for college prior to enrollment. Drawing on results from a large-scale survey of…
A Strong Start for College and Career
Dual Enrollment Participation From 9th to 12th Grade
This infographic, from PACE and Wheelhouse, examines participation in dual enrollment among 9th to 12th graders. The data show that about 10 percent of all California public high school students enrolled in community college courses in 2021–22, but…
Career Technical Education Among California High School Graduates
This extended infographic provides an updated look at Career Technical Education (CTE) pathway completion among California public high school graduates and at how completion patterns vary by student race/ethnicity, gender, and CTE industry sector.