Community college conundrum
Students walk along a bridge towards a parking structure at Glendale Community College. Students at California’s community colleges are having a tough time getting into classes they need to further their careers. (Christina House / For The Times)
Every desk is taken in an Accounting 101 classroom at Orange Coast Community College in Costa Mesa. Many community college students are finding themselves on wait lists for classes they need. (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)
Students doing homework fill a row of desks in the library at Santa Monica College. Many community college students are finding that they can’t finish or transfer in the amount of time they’d expected because class offerings have been reduced because of state budget cuts. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
Students wait in a line for financial aid on the Santa Monica College. About 44% of current California community college students qualify for fee waivers based on income. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
Simpson Rodgers teaches intermediate algebra to students at Los Angeles Trade Tech College. Vocational classes, taken by more than 800,000 in California’s community colleges, are funded at the same level as other academic courses, even though they can cost twice as much to provide. Some campuses have been reluctant to add technical or vocational classes because of the cost. (Mel Melcon/Los Angeles Times)
Students line up, waiting for math and business classes to start at Orange Coast Community College in Costa Mesa. California’s community colleges have been experiencing an increase in student demand at the same time that the slow economy has forced state budget cuts, resulting in fewer classes being offered. (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)
