New Research on Expanding Parents’ College Pathways
To empower California’s economy and communities to thrive, higher education must design for prospective students’ realities.
California faces a shortfall of college-educated workers to meet workforce demands. Closing that gap will require the state to better serve the millions of adults who have a high school diploma but no college degree, a significant number of whom have children. Supporting these parents to and through college strengthens the economy and advances multigenerational success.
These efforts are particularly impactful for families with young children. A degree increases these parents’ earning potential, promoting family stability at a critical stage of their children’s lives. Moreover, those children are more likely to pursue college themselves and continue passing the benefits onto the next generation.
Our new report shines a spotlight on these parents, homing in on those who live in the Bay Area. Although this population faces steep costs for raising a family, they also have access to a dense network of public colleges and a high-opportunity job market. Read the full report for insights on expanding their pathways to economic mobility and strengthening the state’s workforce.
Outside the Bay Area? Check out the replication links in the report to adapt this analysis to your region.
Upcoming Webinar: Strengthening College ROI
Join us on Tuesday, March 31 to explore new research on how college ROI varies by region across California, a timely companion to this regional report, and hear from a panel of leaders in the field about how these insights can drive smarter policy, practice, and decision-making.
