FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 13, 2014
Contact: Jessie Kim, jessie.kim@
New State Report Cards Give California Mixed Grades in Higher Education
Students to Convene This Saturday to Address California’s Failings In Higher Education
[LOS ANGELES]—Tuition at California colleges and universities ranks second worst in the nation and has doubled in the past five years, in part because state budget support for higher education has dropped by double digits. The good news is California’s need-based aid per student ranks fourth highest in America.
That’s all according to 50 state report cards released today by Young Invincibles. California scored failing grades for tuition, spending per student, and education as a state priority, but received high marks for its state financial aid system. The report cards grade every state based on recent and current budget support for higher education.
“California has amazing public higher education institutions, but declining state support is jeopardizing the students who make them great,” said Tamika Butler, California Director of Young Invincibles. “An educated workforce is critical to advancing California’s economic interests, so we’re teaching students how to shape the policies that affect their future.”
Student Impact Project is a Young Invincibles initiative that empowers student activists to more effectively advocate for state policies that support college access, affordability, and success.
This Saturday, in Los Angeles, students will share personal stories and discuss strategies to address California’s emerging higher education funding crisis, as well as the connections between race, class, inequity and the cost of higher education.
WHO: Kimberly Freeman, UCLA Anderson Assistant Dean for Diversity Initiatives an Community Relations; Nadia Valliani, Policy and Research Analyst with Campaign for College Opportunity; Brooke Scott, UCLA student activist; UC, CSU, and Community College students
WHAT: Convening on California Higher Education Funding
WHERE: 308 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA, UCLA Ackerman Union, Room 3508
WHEN: Saturday, March 15, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
For more information on our methodology, or to see California’s State Report card and how it compares to other states, visit studentimpactproject.org
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Young Invincibles is a national organization committed to amplifying the voices of young adults, ages 18 to 34, and expanding economic opportunity for our generation. Young Invincibles ensures that young adults are represented in today’s most pressing societal debates through cutting-edge policy research and analysis, and innovative campaigns designed to educate, inform and mobilize our generation to change the status quo.