In this article, Michele Moses and Lauren Saenz explore a growing trend in education policymaking--the ballot initiative. Specifically, the authors question whether information presented to voters is sufficiently substantive to permit educated decisionmaking about influential policies. Their study, a content analysis of print news media related to…

This quarterly report of the Faculty and Staff Diversity (FSD) Unit of the Chancellors Office of the California Community Colleges presents the 1988-89 objectives of the unit and the actions taken to meet them during the first quarter of the year. The objectives include: (1) the analysis of FSD expenditures by districts during 1988-89; (2) the…

A specific action plan for increasing the enrollment, retention, and transfer of minorities in California's community colleges is presented, as developed by the participants at a December 1985 invitational symposium. Introductory material explains the goals and objectives of the symposium and identifies the five major recurrent themes raised…

An examination is provided of past and possible affirmative action efforts to improve the representation of ethnic minorities and women in faculty and administrative positions in the California community colleges. A brief introduction states that despite legislative changes and efforts made by the colleges and the Board of Governors, minorities…

This publication sets forward the California State Postsecondary Education Commission's historical and present perspective on educational equity in California higher education and was prompted by Governor Wilson's June 1, 1995 Executive Order to End Preferential Treatment and to Promote Individual Opportunity Based on Merit (Executive Order…

This analysis of the employment issues covered in California Assembly Bill (AB) 1725 includes general background information, relevant recommendations by the Commission for the Review of the Master Plan for Higher Education, the fundamental positions of the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges, and a discussion of seven…

This affirmative action and staff diversity plan was developed to specify strategies and assign responsibility for increasing the number of qualified minorities, women, disabled, and members of other underrepresented groups who staff California's community colleges. Introductory comments explain the rationale behind the plan, indicating that…

This article argues that California's reexamination of affirmative action policy represents a national trend that could result in fundamental changes in college admissions and employment policy, scholarship programs, and the diversity of college and university student bodies and faculty. The evolution of this situation and points in the debate are…

The challenge of equal educational opportunity in California and lessons from student affirmative action efforts are considered in a California Postsecondary Education Commission task force report, which also offers recommendations to promote high school and college preparation and educational opportunities for low income and minority students.…

This report compares California with other states in how the problem of low achievement by minority students is being confronted. The severity of the achievement gap is assessed, as well as the steps being taken to close the gap. The topics considered are: (1) the changing demographic profile of racial and ethnic minorities in California;…

This six-part evaluative report describes and assesses three projects, funded by the Office of the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges, designed to facilitate the transition of low-income, minority, and handicapped students from two- to four-year colleges. Part One provides information on the legislative mandate and goals for the…

The three case studies in this report describe state-level efforts to address diversity and equity in postsecondary institutions in California, Maryland, and Washington. A preface provides some background on affirmative action programs, litigation history, and the roles of state coordinating agencies and institutional governing boards. The…