California Competes

Last updated

California Competes is an American nonprofit policy organization seeking to increase access to college and improve college graduation rates. [1] Created in 2011 by civic and business leaders in California, the group has labeled the state's higher education system dysfunctional and called for better coordination and planning for the future needs of the state's economy. [2] [3] [4] The group's work has included advocating for a more robust statewide education data system and for greater financial supports for parents in college. [5] [6] [7] Prior research had revealed that lower-income areas of the state were being shortchanged in the support they were receiving for community colleges. [8]

In 2012 California Competes began an effort to make college accreditation documents publicly available if the college receives public funds. [9] A law sponsored by the organization was enacted in 2014, requiring accreditor evaluation reports and decision letters to be posted on the web sites of colleges receiving state financial aid. At the time of passage the major western states accreditors had already responded to the call by posting decision letters and evaluation team reports on their web sites. [10] [11]

One of the group's first reports faulted a California Community College regulation for contributing to costly stalemates between campus stakeholders. [2] After the statewide community college chancellor refused to consider a change to the regulation, California Competes filed a lawsuit asking a judge to throw out the rules as inconsistent with the law enacted by the legislature. [12] The lawsuit was not successful. [13]

In 2015, California Competes and other organizations sponsored a campaign to highlight innovative efforts by colleges to improve student success and reduce costs. The effort was fueled by a $50 million grant program sponsored by Governor Jerry Brown. [14]

As part of a college affordability project sponsored by the Lumina Foundation, California Competes created a prototype calculator aimed at helping prospective college students consider not only the potential future earnings from college, but also their own estimation of the enjoyment of college itself and their passion for learning. [15] [16]

California Competes is governed by a council that was chaired for the group's first several years by Bob Foster, mayor of Long Beach. [17] The staff are led by executive director Su Jin Gatlin Jez. Her predecessor, Lande Ajose, moved on in 2019 to become higher education advisor to Governor Gavin Newsom. [18] The group's first director, Robert Shireman, left to join the Century Foundation in 2015. [19]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">School of Visual Arts</span> Art school in New York

The School of Visual Arts New York City is a private for-profit art school in New York City. It was founded in 1947 and is a member of the Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design.

University of Phoenix (UoPX) is a private for-profit university headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona. Founded in 1976, the university confers certificates and degrees at the certificate, associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree levels. It is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and has an open enrollment admissions policy for many undergraduate programs. The school is owned by Apollo Global Management, an American private-equity firm.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">California State University, Stanislaus</span> Public university in Turlock, California

California State University, Stanislaus is a public university in Turlock, Stanislaus County, California. It is part of the California State University system. It was established in 1957 and is also the only campus in the system to offer a bachelor's degree in cognitive studies. The university offers 45 Bachelor's degrees, 17 Master's degrees, one Doctoral degree, and 6 teaching credentials. Stanislaus State is a Hispanic-serving institution.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pacific Union College</span> Private liberal arts college in California, U.S.

Pacific Union College (PUC) is a private liberal arts college in Angwin, California. It is the only four-year college in Napa County. It is a coeducational residential college with an almost exclusively undergraduate student body.

The University of Arizona Global Campus, formerly Ashford University, is an online university "operated in affiliation with the University of Arizona." In 2020, Ashford University was acquired by the University of Arizona, becoming the University of Arizona Global Campus. Zovio, a for-profit higher education corporation and Ashford's former owner, is the campus's online program manager.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kaplan, Inc.</span>

Kaplan, Inc. is an American for-profit corporation that provides educational and training services to colleges, universities, businesses and individuals around the world. Founded in 1938 by Stanley Kaplan, the company offers a variety of test preparation, certifications and student support services. The company is headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Graham Holdings Company.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WyoTech</span>

WyoTech, formerly known as Wyoming Technical Institute, is a for-profit, technical college founded in Laramie, Wyoming in 1966. WyoTech provides training programs that prepare students for careers as technicians in the automotive and diesel industry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National American University</span> University in South Dakota and Georgia

National American University (NAU) is a private for-profit online university with locations at Ellsworth Air Force Base and Naval Submarine Base King's Bay. It is owned by National American University Holdings, Inc. (NAUH). In 2018, NAU acquired the assets of Henley-Putnam University and now offers strategic security programs[1]. Most of NAU's academic programs are on the 11-week quarter system and have monthly starts. The school is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Walden University</span> U.S. university

Walden University is a private online for-profit university headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It offers Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, Master of Business Administration, Master of Public Administration, Master of Public Health, Education Specialist, Doctor of Education, Doctor of Business Administration, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees.

The Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) is a non-profit education corporation that was recognized until 2021 by the United States Department of Education as an independent and autonomous national accrediting body.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Notre Dame de Namur University</span> Private Catholic university in Belmont, California, United States

Notre Dame de Namur University (NDNU) is a private Catholic university in Belmont, California. It is the third oldest college in California and the first college in the state authorized to grant the baccalaureate degree to women. In 2021, the university announced it will begin to operate as a graduate school only.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marymount California University</span> Catholic university in California, U.S.

Marymount California University was a private Catholic university in Rancho Palos Verdes, California. Originally founded by the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary (RHSM), the university awarded associate, bachelor's, and graduate degrees. The institution was accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission. The university plans to close in August 2022.

Argosy University was a system of for-profit colleges owned by Dream Center Education Holdings (DCEH), LLC and Education Management Corporation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Virginia College</span>

Virginia College was a Private for-profit college located primarily in the southeastern United States. Virginia College offered classes, certificates, diplomas, and degrees related to specific professions such as health sciences, information technology, business, office management, and criminal justice. Virginia College also offered online degree programs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fortis College</span>

Fortis College is a for-profit college established in 2008, operated by Education Affiliates, and owned by JLL Partners. Most of the schools have national accreditation.

edX Online education provider

edX is an American massive open online course (MOOC) provider created by Harvard and MIT. It hosts online university-level courses in a wide range of disciplines to a worldwide student body, including some courses at no charge. It also conducts research into learning based on how people use its platform. edX runs on the free Open edX open-source software platform. 2U is the parent company, with edX operating as its global online learning platform and primary brand for products and services.

Assessment in higher education was a reform movement that emerged in the United States in the early 2000s to spur improved learning in higher education through regular and systematic measurement. The campaign was a higher education corollary to the standardized testing required in K-12 schools by the No Child Left Behind Act. By the latter 2010s the bureaucratic demands of assessment advocates were being reconsidered in higher education even by some of those who had played a major part in promoting them.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Purdue University Global</span> Adult-serving public university, part of Purdue University system

Purdue University Global, Inc (PG), formerly Kaplan University, is a public online university that operates as a public-benefit corporation, is part of the Purdue University system, and returns 12.5% of operating revenue to its prior for-profit owner Graham Holdings Company. Purdue University Global's programs focus on career-oriented fields of study at the credential, associate's, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral level. The university also has three physical classroom locations and Concord Law School.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robert Shireman</span>

Robert M. (Bob) Shireman is an American higher education policy expert and nonprofit leader currently working as the director of higher education excellence at The Century Foundation. Shireman served as the first deputy undersecretary of education in the Obama Administration in 2009–10. He had previously worked in the U.S. Senate, the Clinton Administration, and at nonprofit organizations, including one he founded, The Institute for College Access and Success (TICAS).

For-profit colleges, also known as proprietary colleges, are post-secondary schools that rely on investors, and survive by making a profit. They include for-profit vocational and technical schools, career colleges, and predominantly online universities. For-profit colleges have frequently offered career-oriented curricula including culinary arts, business and technology, and health care. These institutions have a long history in the US, and grew rapidly from 1972 to 2009. The growth of for-profit education has been fueled by government funding as well as corporate investment, including private equity.

References

  1. ↑ Smith, Ashley A. "California's higher education leaders see an opportunity in crisis". EdSource. Retrieved 2020-12-24.
  2. 1 2 Blumenstyk, Goldie (June 7, 2012). "'Dysfunctional' Higher-Education Policy Is Called Threat to California Economy". The Chronicle of Higher Education. Archived from the original on 2021-04-26. Retrieved 2020-12-24.
  3. ↑ Keller, Josh (June 21, 2011). "Robert Shireman Helps Start Group to Improve California Colleges". www.chronicle.com. Archived from the original on 2021-09-04. Retrieved 2021-09-04.
  4. ↑ "Needs for Higher Education: Shireman Discusses Goals for Degree Attainment". calstate.fullerton.edu. March 8, 2012. Archived from the original on May 5, 2012. Retrieved 2021-09-04.
  5. ↑ Ajose, Lande; Lempert, Ted (2018-12-21). "Opinion: Data will define 'cradle to career' educational success". The Mercury News. Archived from the original on 2020-10-01. Retrieved 2020-12-24.
  6. ↑ Wood, Sarah (February 3, 2020). "New Report Reveals Financial Barriers for Student Parents in California - Higher Education". Diverse Issues in Higher Education. Archived from the original on 2020-02-07. Retrieved 2020-12-24.
  7. ↑ "COMMENTARY: California needs a better education data system but who will manage it?". EdSource. Retrieved 2020-12-24.
  8. ↑ Dulaney, Josh (2013-11-19). "California Community Colleges fail to reach poor communities, report says". Press Telegram. Archived from the original on 2014-07-25. Retrieved 2020-12-24.
  9. ↑ Fain, Paul (February 23, 2012). "California contemplates crackdown on for-profits". www.insidehighered.com. Archived from the original on 2012-02-29. Retrieved 2021-09-04.
  10. ↑ "Bill Analysis: Assembly Bill 2247". www.leginfo.ca.gov. Archived from the original on 2014-07-10. Retrieved 2021-09-04.
  11. ↑ "Bill Text - AB-2247 Postsecondary education: accreditation documents". leginfo.legislature.ca.gov. Retrieved 2021-09-04.
  12. ↑ Baron, Kathryn (December 13, 2012). "Academic senate influence challenged at community colleges". EdSource. Archived from the original on 2014-03-12. Retrieved 2020-12-24.
  13. ↑ Baron, Kathryn (November 7, 2013). "Judge upholds shared governance at community colleges". EdSource. Archived from the original on 2015-03-17. Retrieved 2020-12-24.
  14. ↑ Coghlan, Ed (2015-03-05). "Innovation in higher education must benefit students". California Forward. Retrieved 2021-03-07.
  15. ↑ Jacobs, Joanne (2015-03-26). "How much should you pay for a degree?". The Hechinger Report. Retrieved 2021-03-07.
  16. ↑ Anderson Weathers, Lucia (2014-04-14). "Paper series explores new models of student financial support". Lumina Foundation. Archived from the original on 2015-08-16. Retrieved 2021-03-07.
  17. ↑ "California Competes Welcomes Julia Lopez to Leadership Council". California Competes. Retrieved 2020-12-24.
  18. ↑ Gordon, Larry (February 7, 2019). "CA Gov. Newsom's higher ed advisor to tackle access and financial aid issues". EdSource. Archived from the original on 2019-02-08. Retrieved 2020-12-24.
  19. ↑ Lederman, Doug (July 13, 2015). "Bob Shireman's New Perch to Work on Education Issues | Inside Higher Ed". www.insidehighered.com. Archived from the original on 2015-10-04. Retrieved 2020-12-24.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.