Expected growth in the population of rural areas of California and in the number of jobs in middle-skill occupations has increased interest in the alignment of middle-skill workforce supply and occupational demand, particularly in rural regions. This study focuses on that alignment in four rural regions of the state: Central Valley and Mother Lode…

This study snapshot presents the key findings from the full study on the alignment of middle-skill workforce supply and occupational demand across four rural regions in California to help stakeholders strengthen the economy in rural parts of the state. The four rural regions in the study are Central Valley and Mother Lode North, Central Valley and…

These are the appendixes for the report, "Supply and Demand for Middle-Skill Occupations in Rural California in 2018-20." The study focuses on the alignment of middle-skill workforce supply and occupational demand across four rural regions in California (Central Valley and Mother Lode North, Central Valley and Mother Lode South, Northern…

The value of a college degree is the highest it has been in decades. The typical full-time worker with a bachelor's degree earned $81,000 in 2017, while the typical worker with only a high school diploma earned $36,000. Educational attain­ment is associated with lower unemployment and less strain on the social safety net, as well as higher tax…

Higher education benefits individuals and the state: college graduates are more likely to be employed and earn higher wages than nongraduates, boosting state tax revenues and reducing pressure on the social safety net. However, California's higher education system is not keeping up with the changing economy. Projections suggest that the state will…

Cultivating partnerships is a crucial advocacy strategy for school library associations building support for the work they do. School librarians cannot do their work in isolation, so it makes sense for their associations to reach out to other associations whose members work with or could potentially support school libraries and school library…

Since the first charter school law passed in 1991, U.S. charter schools have enjoyed steady and relatively rapid growth, now serving more than three million students nationally. In more than 58 cities, charter schools represent more than 20 percent of all public school enrollment. In seven cities, charter schools enroll more than 40 percent of…

This study used a qualitative research design to identify the influences leading to the underrepresentation of women in the principalship as this contributes to a shortage of principals to lead schools. Women teachers from a California school district were interviewed to discover how they made choices about pursuing the principalship. Clark and…

Recently, the State of California committed nearly one billion dollars to the development of career and technical education (CTE) pathways that lead to locally relevant, high-growth, high-demand careers. This investment represents a pivot from relatively disjointed approaches to CTE in high schools and community colleges, and reflects an…

A skilled workforce is key to a thriving California economy. Strong and growing demand for highly educated workers has been a hallmark of the state's economy for decades, and forecasts show this demand continuing into the future. If current trends continue, about 40 percent of jobs in California will require at least a bachelor's degree by 2030.…

The United States Science, Technology, and Engineering and Math (STEM) workforce is vital to this country's economic development interests, and its ability to compete effectively in the global market. One of the greatest challenges facing that industry in the US is the current and projected shortage of engineers serving the STEM industry.…

Experimental and observational research often involves asking consumers to self-report the impact of some proposed option. Because self-reported responses involve no consequence to the respondent for falsely revealing how he or she feels about an issue, self-reports may be subject to social desirability and other influences that bias responses in…

California's higher education system is not keeping up with the changing economy. Projections suggest that the state's economy will continue to need more highly educated workers. In 2025, if current trends persist, 41 percent of jobs will require at least a bachelor's degree and 36 percent will require some college education short of a bachelor's…

Lower division preparation for the university has been an important mission of community colleges since their inception, creating an essential pathway to baccalaureate degree attainment for many students who may not have access to higher education. The transfer pathway is complex and often difficult for students to navigate. This study examined…

Quality labor market data and analysis is critical to developing effective market-driven workforce and economic strategies in states, regions, and localities. Such information can be complex, intimidating, and overwhelming to many users, however. This issue brief offers a framework for understanding workforce information, including a summary of…