A study was done of Californians' attitudes toward public higher education and its future in comparison to attitudes across the nation. The study conducted eight focus groups in California and used those findings to generate hypotheses tested through two telephone surveys. A California survey was conducted with 832 residents 18 years of age or…

This report on the public perception of higher education is based on a review of 30 recent public opinion polls. The review found: (1) higher education enjoys a reservoir of goodwill; (2) a college degree is seen as an essential credential for success; (3) the public is broadly committed to equity, but as an income issue and not gender- or…