"Degrees of Freedom" challenges California to include currently and formerly incarcerated students in the vision set by the state's 1964 Master Plan for Higher Education--a vision of college access for all, for the benefit of the entire state. A college education strengthens economies, changes lives and renews communities, and yet, for Californians involved with the criminal justice system, the state's commitment to their education has often stopped at a GED or high school diploma. This is an expensive and unsustainable oversight that does a disservice to thousands of potential students, their families, and all our communities. "Degrees of Freedom" is based on over 175 interviews, academic research, and historical investigation; it demonstrates how to pave the pathways that will help these underserved students become college graduates. The report profiles existing programs and sets out recommendations for critical growth and sustainability because these programs do not come anywhere close to meeting the need. It highlights challenges and successful strategies, and sets out a series of concrete recommendations to ensure that future programs are sustainable, scalable, and high quality. It demonstrates how the state's existing structures can bring education and criminal justice systems together to achieve mutual goals, including increasing college graduation rates, preparing students to meet the demands of the labor market, and increasing the chances of reentry success. It is a resource for anyone interested in the subject, whether a policymaker, a potential student, or a college administrator. The report is part of the Renewing Communities Initiative. [For the full report, see ED574151.]