Unlocking Multigenerational Economic Mobility in California
As a UC Santa Cruz graduate and advisory committee member of The California Alliance for Student Parent Success, Krystle Pale understands the challenges faced by the 1 in 8 college students in California who are also parents. For these students, college is not just about attending class and studying; it’s a daily juggling act that includes managing households, raising children, and working to make ends meet. The additional costs of child care, higher food expenses, and other necessities mean that student parents pay an extra $7,500 per child to attend college. Without significant financial aid, they would need to work at least 50 hours per week at minimum wage to cover these costs.
It’s not just a personal challenge for student parents; it’s a consequential issue that spans generations and impacts all Californians. When student parents thrive, the benefits ripple across communities and generations, creating economic stability for families, closing racial equity gaps, and strengthening California’s workforce and economy. However, their determination to balance work, study, and parenting often goes unnoticed because colleges and the state do not systematically collect data on their demographics, experiences, and outcomes.
Empowering Bright Futures for Student Parents
This Student Parent Month, higher education leaders, policymakers, and communities are urged to change that. To empower bright futures for all Californians and strengthen the state’s economy, which increasingly relies on a skilled workforce, California must transform the higher education system to address the needs of student parents and smooth the path to college for the 3.9 million Californians with children who have yet to complete their degrees. And it all starts with better data.
Data as a Flashlight and a Key
Data serves as both a flashlight and a key in unlocking the potential of student parents in California. As a flashlight, data illuminates the needs and strengths of student parents, allowing colleges to identify the obstacles they face and the support they need to succeed. As a key, data unlocks a deeper understanding of who California’s student parents are, enabling more informed decision-making and resource allocation to improve outcomes for them and their families.
Challenges in Data Collection and Utilization
Currently, California struggles to effectively use student parent data. Only some campuses collect data on student parents, and those that do often miss critical data points, such as the number and ages of students’ children. Definitions of “student parent” vary between institutions, and departments within colleges struggle to coordinate data collection efforts. This limits their ability to leverage data for systemic change.
The California Alliance for Student Parent Success
Recognizing these gaps, organizations have launched The California Alliance for Student Parent Success, focusing on data collection and utilization as a critical component of a statewide policy agenda to support the postsecondary success and well-being of student parents.
Transforming Data into Action
To turn California’s student parent data into a flashlight and a key, it should be accessible, accurate, and actionable. Accessibility means facilitating information-sharing between campus departments and external sectors, accuracy involves establishing standardized data collection definitions statewide, and actionability requires effective analysis and response to the needs of student parents.
Legislation and Progress
Progress is on the horizon with the development of stronger data infrastructure through the California Cradle-to-Career Data system. Legislation to strengthen data collection for student parents is also underway, such as the GAINS for Student Parents Act (AB 2458), which aims to require institutions to uniformly collect and report data on student parents. This bill seeks to make college more affordable and empower student parents to reach their full potential.
Uplifting Voices and Future
Addressing data gaps will enable California to tailor resources and policies to streamline student parents’ educational and career journeys, laying the foundation for a thriving economy. This Student Parent Month, let’s honor their determination by taking concrete steps to advance their success. Passing legislation like the GAINS for Student Parents Act is a critical step towards uplifting the voices and future of student parents in California.
In Conclusion
Su Jin Jez, Ph.D., CEO of California Competes, and Christopher J. Nellum, Ph.D., Executive Director of EdTrust-West, emphasize the importance of data collection and utilization in supporting student parents. By empowering student parents, California can create a more equitable and prosperous future for all. Let’s unite in uplifting the voices and future of student parents and, by extension, the future of California.