California's educational system has been undergoing significant scrutiny and reform, particularly amid new challenges encountered during and after the pandemic. Two major areas of focus are the graduation rates at California State Universities and the Enhanced Care Management (ECM) program for children with disabilities under the Medi-Cal system. Both issues highlight the necessity of addressing diverse educational needs and ensuring equitable access to resources.
At the heart of the conversation about graduation rates lies California State University's (CSU) ambitious goal to increase its four-year graduation rates to 40% by 2025. Recent reports indicate some progress — the system achieved 36.2%, up from just 15% approximately ten years ago. The increase can be attributed to strategic investments and support initiatives, including funding to hire more professors and open additional classes for high-demand subjects. "We're opening up opportunities for students who traditionally have not had them," stated Diego Arambula, vice chair of the board of trustees, recognizing the increasing diversity among enrollees, especially first-generation college students from underrepresented backgrounds.
While the numbers might sound encouraging, they also reveal persistent gaps. The six-year graduation rates for Latino students slipped slightly, from 58% to 56%, well below the 70% benchmark set by the university. Similarly, Black students face even starker challenges; only about 49% graduated within six years, leading the board to confront the reality of systemic inequalities. "Closing equity gaps is really, really hard," acknowledged board trustee Christopher J. Steinhauser, linking the issue to the disparities between low-income and higher-income students.
The COVID-19 pandemic has added layers of complexity for students trying to navigate their education. With retention rates dropping during COVID, the system saw only 81% of newcomers return for their second year, leading experts to express concerns about long-term impacts on graduation rates. Despite these hurdles, CSU maintains higher overall graduation rates compared to many similar institutions nationwide, indicating the necessity for both targeted interventions and broader structural changes.
Meanwhile, the Enhanced Care Management program, meant to serve children with disabilities, has seen enrollment rise dramatically but still faces criticism and scrutiny. Launched officially in mid-2023, the ECM program was created to assign lead care managers to coordinate health services for children under 21 enrolled in Medi-Cal managed care plans. For families like Sandra Skotzke's, the program holds promise, as she looked forward to easing the burdens of caring for her daughter, Diana, who has complex medical needs. "I was really hoping to get good help for something to make a difference for our daughter," she says.
Despite the increase from around 6,400 to over 12,000 children enrolled, many more eligible children remain outside the program. Advocacy groups express concerns about the program's accessibility and effectiveness. Many parents report confusion, poor communication, and some instances of inadequate support from service providers. "The number of children being served is still far too low, particularly among vulnerable populations like those from the child welfare system or with serious medical conditions," argued Mike Odeh from Children Now.
Encouraging enrollment numbers contradict the need for continuous improvement. Issues arise from the complexity of the program, lack of awareness, and staffing shortages among service providers. Anecdotal reports highlight challenges, including parents being paired with providers who lack cultural competency or adequate language skills. The California Department of Health Care Services is now pushing for more effective communication strategies among local authorities and providers, aiming for smoother implementation and expansion of the program's services.
At the time of writing, California's child welfare system provides services to almost 100,000 youth, but only about 1,200 are currently receiving ECM benefits. Odeh emphasizes these low numbers are surprising and troubling, especially considering these populations are relatively easy to identify and reach.
While advocates remain cautious about the program's long-term success, leaders like Linnea Koopmans, CEO of Local Health Plans of California, believe the improvements reflect positive growth as ECM continues to evolve. Still, she noted the initial setbacks must be addressed to make meaningful headway. The necessity for culturally sensitive, appropriate healthcare services cannot be overstated, particularly as many families continue to navigate the consequences of the pandemic.
Addressing educational challenges means recognizing the experiences of diverse communities within California. With both CSU and ECM under the spotlight, the need for systemic change is as pressing as ever. Initiatives to bolster graduation rates, improve access to healthcare benefits, and support historically marginalized students will be pivotal. Only through continued dialogue, assessment, and action can California hope to create equitable opportunities for all its students and families.
