Publications
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Almost half of California public school kindergarten students attend full-day classes. To understand how a longer class day might benefits students, the authors examined about 200,000 kindergarten records in the Los Angeles Unified School District and found that full-day kindergarten does seem to help reduce the chances of being retained in early grades. But full-day students do not seem to have better second-grade test scores, nor do English learners improve their English fluency at higher rates. Certain subpopulations might benefit more than others; given current budgetary constraints, policymakers may find it more effective to target full-day classes to schools most likely to benefit, such as those with low API rankings.
This report was supported with funding from The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Some findings of the current survey:
- Californians favor a switch to open election primaries, but dont like the idea of a part-time legislature.
- They feel that Proposition 13 has mainly been good for the state, but a majority would approve a change to taxing commercial property at current value.
- Sixty-seven percent expect bad financial times in the coming year.
Job Approval Ratings:
President Obama
Governor Schwarzenegger
California State Legislature
U.S. Congress
Senator Boxer
Senator Feinstein
Speaker Pelosi
Time Trends of Job Approval Ratings:
President Obama
Governor Schwarzenegger
California State Legislature
U.S. Congress
Senator Boxer
Senator Feinstein
Speaker Pelosi
Mood of Californians:
General Direction of Things in California
Economic Outlook for California
This survey is supported with funding from The James Irvine Foundation.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Special education accounted for more than 16 percent$9.3 billionof K12 spending in 200607. An extensive reform of special education financing in California about a decade ago sought to improve the way the state funds education for the disabled, who make up about 10 percent of public school students. Did reform achieve its goals? In large part, yesbut more can be done. The author suggests that to realize reforms equity goals, policymakers could equalize base funding rates and make adjustments for local conditions such as numbers of low-income students and regional labor market wage levels.
This report was funded with support from The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
This report examines the question of how to pay for urgently needed investments in the SacramentoSan Joaquin Delta. For years, stakeholders have been at odds over beneficiary financing (charging those who use the water). But recent federal intervention to save endangered fish species and the decline of state and federal funding sources may finally break the impasse. This report situates the beneficiary payment debate in historical, legal, and political context. It also explores how this kind of financing might work for several big ticket items: water conveyance facilities, storage reservoirs, environmental mitigation, and levee improvements.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Some findings of the current survey:
- Solid majorities of Californians favor government regulation of greenhouse gas emissions and policies to curb global warming.
- More Californians support than oppose expanding coastal oil drilling; even more favor improving fuel efficiency.
- Three in four Californians say the state should expand public transit and use existing transportation networks more efficientlyonly 18 percent say the state should build more freeways.
Job Approval Ratings:
President Obama
Governor Schwarzenegger
California State Legislature
Time Trends of Job Approval Ratings:
President Obama
Governor Schwarzenegger
California State Legislature
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
California is still home to more immigrants than any other state, but its popularity as an immigrant destination is dropping: From 1990 to 2007 immigrant growth rates in some other states topped 20 percent per year, more than five times the rate of growth here. Similarly, growth rates in new destinations within the state, such as Riverside and Kern Counties, have soared. This report examines the reasons for this shift, one being the decline in the preferences of new immigrants, particularly Latinos, to live in cities with large populations of other immigrants. Simultaneously, widening economic opportunities in new areas have attracted many new immigrants.
This study was supported with funding from The Ford Foundation and the Research Foundation of The City University of New York.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
School accountability programs aim to improve student achievement by improving educator incentives. Have they done so? This report examines how state and federal accountability programs have affected the incentives of principals, superintendents, and school board members finding some evidence that the federal No Child Left Behind Act (2001) may have made principals and school board members more accountable for student achievement. However, the report finds no effect on the incentives of school superintendents. This report also recommends a number of specific changes to the NCLB, should it be reauthorized.
The study was supported with funding from The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Californias current economic and fiscal realities make nonpartisan, objective information on the states future challenges all the more critical. Understandably, the search is on for immediate solutions to the unprecedented crises we face today. But if the present crises make policymakers shelve long-term planning, the result may be an even more uncertain future for our state.
This briefing kit highlights Californias most pressing long-term policy challenges in eight key areas:
We gratefully acknowledge the support of The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation as part of the California 2025 project on the state's future challenges and opportunities.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
California relies on a narrow and volatile revenue base, and its service demands are high. The result is chronic crisis. But the search for immediate solutions shouldnt eclipse long-term planning. Otherwise, our state may face an even more uncertain future.
This publication is part of a briefing kit that highlights our states most pressing long-term policy challenges in eight key areas:
We gratefully acknowledge the support of The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation as part of the California 2025 project on the state's future challenges and opportunities.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
California is charting new territory with its plans to reduce emissions. But the state also needs to prepare for the effects of climate change that are already coming.
This publication is part of a briefing kit that highlights our states most pressing long-term policy challenges in eight key areas:
We gratefully acknowledge the support of The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation as part of the California 2025 project on the state's future challenges and opportunities.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Despite the current recession, Californias long-term economic prospects are strong. The most effective economic policies will require a realistic sense of the states strengths and weaknesses.
This publication is part of a briefing kit that highlights our states most pressing long-term policy challenges in eight key areas:
We gratefully acknowledge the support of The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation as part of the California 2025 project on the state's future challenges and opportunities.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Californias current accountability system sets up almost every public school for failure in the next few years. Policymakers will need to adopt new measures to change the trajectory of the states school systems.
This publication is part of a briefing kit that highlights our states most pressing long-term policy challenges in eight key areas:
We gratefully acknowledge the support of The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation as part of the California 2025 project on the state's future challenges and opportunities.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Californias population will continue to grow by millions of residents over the next two decades. In all areas of infrastructure and public services, this growth will lead to new demands.
This publication is part of a briefing kit that highlights our states most pressing long-term policy challenges in eight key areas:
We gratefully acknowledge the support of The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation as part of the California 2025 project on the state's future challenges and opportunities.
Events
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
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December 8, 2009 |
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9:00a.m.-1:00 p.m. |
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CSAC Conference Center |
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1020 11th Street, 2nd Floor |
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Sacramento, CA |
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
Water has been a hot topic this fall, with all eyes focused on a legislative package to address Californias water woes. The solutions coming out of Sacramento represent progress, but they are only first steps on a long path toward sustainable water management. This half-day event, coinciding with the release of a new PPIC report, California Water Myths, brings together the authors and other noted water experts to assess how we can rebuild public policy discussions about water on myth-free foundations, to continue with needed reforms.
Continental breakfast and lunch will be provided and there is no charge to attend. Pre-registration is requested.
This research is supported with funding by:
Additional program and participant information is forthcoming.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
| Date: |
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November 12, 2009 |
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12:00-1:30 p.m. |
| Location: |
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CSAC Conference Center |
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1020 11th Street, 2nd Floor |
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Sacramento, CA |
ABOUT THE PROGRAM Californias continued budget woes, rising costs of college education, and the weak economy continue to challenge public higher education systems. This survey is the third in a series on higher education, conducted with funding from The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, which examines Californians attitudes and perceptions of higher education in their state.
Residents reveal their preferences for funding higher education, their opinions about the performance of public colleges and universities, and their views of the states ability to plan for future higher education needs. The survey also examines the overall affordability of higher education, societal trends in higher education, and parental aspirations and concerns for their childrens education.
reform.
Lunch will be provided and there is no charge to attend. Pre-registration is requested.
PARTICIPANTS
Jennifer Paluch is a research associate at PPIC and member of the Statewide Survey team.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
| Date: |
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September 17, 2009 |
| Time: |
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12:00-1:30 p.m. |
| Location: |
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Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament |
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1017 11th Street, Lower Level |
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Sacramento, CA |
ABOUT THE PROGRAM After another protracted and bitter budget fight, Californians have become deeply distrustful of the way the state governs itself and are now cautiously open to change. Several reform proposals, such as open primaries and a part-time legislature, will require voter attention in 2010. A panel of experts on the subject of California will convene at this event for a presentation of the findings of the latest PPIC Statewide Survey on Californians and Their Government, and will assess and discuss the landscape for change and reform.
PARTICIPANTS
David Lesher, Associate Director, Government Affairs, PPIC
(Moderator)
Adam Mendelsohn, Partner, Mercury Public Affairs
Roger Salazar, Co-founder, Acosta/Salazar, LLC
George Skelton, Columnist, Los Angeles Times
SURVEY
