Reports

Reports by the Wealth Research Organization

	Title	Authors	Description	DatePublished	Publisher
	Trends in Childcare and Preschool Enrollment Among Latino Children in California	Belinda Reyes and Elias S. Lopez	Preschool enrollment rates increased between 2000 and 2006, particularly for the children of low-income and low educated parents. But enrollment rates for Latinos are still low and only 50% of four-year olds attend preschool. To achieve a 70% enrollment rate, 65,000 more four-year olds would need to enroll, the majority of them Latinos. Simplifying the 20-page application process, increasing the income eligibility for state and federal funded programs, prioritizing enrollment for four-year olds, reaching out to the Latino community, and focusing on family-focused programs, could get us to the 70% target.	3/1/2009	The Wealth Research Organization
	Evaluation of the 2006 CLASE Steps to College Gwinnett Pre-Collegiate Program	Bernadette Musetti, Paula Mellom, and Elias S. Lopez	This evaluation reveals that it is possible to increase the aspirations of low income students through a summer enrichment program. By the end of the program, 92% of students reported having as their goal attending a 4 year college or university.	1/4/2007	The Wealth Research Organization

Other Reports by Contributing Authors

Economic Advancement

	Title	Authors	Description	DatePublished	Publisher
	Retention and Attrition of Undergraduates at UC Davis, 1995 to 2004	Elias Lopez and Tom Estes	Attrition is a perennial concern in higher education and programs are often designed to decrease the attrition at the university or college. Unfortunately, administrators and staff do not often have exact measures of attrition. The first section of the report develops a methodology that more accurately measures attrition and provides answers to the following questions: • Which groups at UC Davis have the highest attrition? • Is attrition declining over time? • Which factors help explain attrition at UC Davis? • What are the enrollment trends for the different undergraduate subgroups? • Are graduation rates increasing over time? • Is the percentage of students on academic probation declining over time?	1/6/2007	Student Affairs Research & Information, University of California, Davis
	The Manufacturing Sector and Job Training in California	Elias S. Lopez and Alicia Bugarin	The manufacturing sector is the second largest industry in California (after retail), employing over two million persons (including the self employed) and paying more than $86 billion in wages and salaries. At the request of Assemblymember Bob Pacheco, this report examines the changes occurring in the manufacturing sector in California. In particular, it attempts to provide answers to the following questions: Is the state's manufacturing sector on the decline? If so, are certain types of manufacturing or workers more affected? For those workers at risk, could the state provide more training opportunities as a means to increase productivity? Which state training programs target the manufacturing sector?	1/4/2004	California Research Bureau, California State Library
	Preschool and Childcare Enrollment in California	Elias S. Lopez and Patricia de Cos	California currently has 1.17 million children, aged three to five, who are not yet in kindergarten. Close to half of the state's children in this age group are enrolled in preschool/childcare. This report examines the differences in enrollment rates by several variables including: the age of children, the number of parents in a household, the "linguistic isolation" of a family (which refers to the inability of persons aged 14 and older in a home to speak English "very well"), and family income. The last section of the report compares California's enrollment rates to the United States as a whole as well as to other states by ethnic group.	1/1/2004	California Research Bureau, California State Library
	The Distribution of Wealth in California, 2000	Elias S. Lopez and Rosa Moller	This report presents an analysis of the distribution of household wealth in California, with a focus on the following questions, among others: Do children and the elderly live in households with lower levels of wealth? Are there differences in household wealth between the major ethnic groups in California, and what are those differences? How important is owning a home or a business, and what difference does a higher level of educational attainment make?	1/11/2003	California Research Bureau, California State Library
	High-Growth Industries and Highly-Educated Workers in California	Elias S. Lopez	High-growth industries, the ones responsible for most of the economic growth in California, employ the largest share of the highly-educated workforce. However, in planning for the future, this report identifies two issues that policymakers may want to consider. One deals with the lack of adequate preparation of disadvantaged groups in California graduating from our high schools, an issue that has implications for the degree of employability in the high-growth industries. The other finding of this report is that employees (and their families) in small businesses, even those in high growth industries, seem to be at a disadvantage. Even highly-educated persons working in small businesses tend not to have access to health insurance and pension benefits at the same rate as large businesses.	1/11/2002	California Research Bureau, California State Library
	A Coordinated Approach to Raising the Socio-Economic Status of Latinos in California	[Edited by] Elias Lopez, Ginny Puddefoot, and Patricia Gándara	This is a follow-up to the first Latino report published in June 1999. This report begins to look at strategies for raising the educational attainment of Latinos in California. The purpose of this paper is not to provide a comprehensive treatise on a particular issue, but rather to get the reader to start thinking about linkages that can occur across the different sectors. We need to not only consider the K-12 and higher education systems, but we must also look to preschools, economic development agencies, the private sector, community based organizations, and any other organization that can work with the community. This paper has 11 different sections and 33 contributors. Some sections include options for further consideration.	1/3/2000	California Research Bureau, California State Library
	Latinos and Economic Development in California	Elias Lopez, Enrique Ramirez, and Refugio I. Rochin	At the request of Senator Richard Polanco, this paper looks at the educational attainment of Latinos, the largest minority group in California. This group, which comprises 28 percent of the labor force, is growing in numbers and is expected to be the largest group of workers by the year 2025. The earnings and the tax base that they represent therefore are vital to the state's economy. This report alerts policymakers to the fact that the wages of Latinos are not in parity with their numbers; therefore, neither are their tax contributions. Why do Latinos earn significantly less than other ethnic groups in California? Although there are several factors that determine the earnings of a person, the most important reason for Latinos earning relatively less is that they have lower levels of educational attainment. Some might argue that this is a problem of immigrants. This paper shows, however, that the low levels of educational attainment persist for even third generation Latinos. Relying on time alone to take care of the problem does not appear to be the best prescription. This paper looks at the benefits, in terms of earnings and the tax base, of increasing the educational attainment of Latinos, both in the long-term and in the short-term.	1/6/1999	California Research Bureau, California State Library
	Options for Expanding the Healthy Families Program: Estimates	Elias Lopez and Richard Figueroa	In California, seven million persons are without health insurance. Of these seven million, close to 2 million are children under the age of 19. To reduce the size of the problem, the State of California began offering health insurance to uninsured children in families with incomes below 200 percent of the federal poverty level. The coverage is provided through two programs, Medi-Cal and Healthy Families. This paper looks at options for extending the program. It provides estimates on the number of new persons who would qualify and it gives an approximation of how much it would cost the State of California to extend such coverage.	3/1/1999	California Research Bureau, California State Library

Political Engagement and Representation

	Title	Authors	Description	DatePublished	Publisher
	Faculty, Managers, and Administrators in the University of California, 1996 to 2002	Elias S. Lopez and Belinda Reyes	This report analyzes staffing patterns in the University of California system. There are six chapters, one for each of the following group of individuals: UC tenured and tenure track faculty (Full, Associate, and Assistant Professors), Full Professors, Associate Professors, Assistant Professors, Lecturers (Permanent and Temporary), Managers and Academic Administrators. Each chapter examines the changes occurring for each of these occupational groups from 1996 to 2002. The analysis covers full-time or part-time status, the decade in which staff were hired, gender, ethnicity, academic discipline, campus, median monthly earnings, and the newly hired.	1/7/2004	California Research Bureau, California State Library
	The Composition of Staff in California's Community Colleges, 1994 to 2002	Elias S. Lopez	This report analyzes staffing patterns in California's community colleges. Based on data from 1994 to 2002, it presents information on the composition of the staff by months worked, full-time and part-time status, gender, ethnicity, new hires, age, and annual salary, for each of the following employment classifications: Educational administrators, Tenured faculty, Tenure track faculty, Temporary faculty, and Classified staff. In addition, this report provides information on staffing patterns by types of courses taught and by community college districts.	1/1/2004	California Research Bureau, California State Library
	California State University Faculty: 1985 to 2001	Elias S. Lopez and Refugio I. Rochin	The California State University is one of the largest four-year university systems in the country with 23 campuses, over 300,000 students, and over 20,000 faculty members. The State Legislature asked the California Research Bureau to provide information on how the composition of faculty in the California State University (CSU) system is changing over time. Using data provided by CSU, this report presents a profile of the faculty for two points in time, 1985 and 2001. The report also provides year-by-year information on the recruitment and employment of "newly-hired " tenure track faculty (Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, and Professor), from 1986 to 2001.	1/4/2003	California Research Bureau, California State Library
	Taking the Oath: An Analysis of Naturalization in California and the United States	Hans P. Johnson, Belinda I. Reyes, Laura Mameesh, and Elisa Barbour	California has the largest noncitizen population in the nation (over 6 million people) and a lower naturalization rate than every other state but Texas. This report seeks to better understand the naturalization behavior of immigrants in California by comparing patterns and trends in the state with those in the rest of the nation. It addresses the following specific questions: How has the propensity to naturalize changed over time? What factors are associated with naturalization? Do California immigrants have a different propensity to naturalize? If so, why? How and why do naturalization rates vary across California counties? What role have California state and local government played in encouraging naturalization?	9/1/1999	Public Policy Institute of California

Population and Demographics

	Title	Authors	Description	DatePublished	Publisher
	Census 2000 for California: A Friendly Guide	Elias S. Lopez	This report provides a comprehensive demographic picture of the population in California. It makes available to policymakers the latest information on the Census 2000. The first section of the report gives the traditional demographic profile of the total population. This section also includes a profile of children and of persons of retirement age. The second section of this report focuses on the two percent of the population that is in group quarters, i.e., correctional and juvenile facilities, nursing homes, and other institutions. The third section of the report provides information for housing units. It provides data on the total number of housing units in California and the reasons why some six percent of them are vacant. It also provides information by the characteristics of the head of the household. This information includes the percent of housing units occupied by members of the different ethnic groups. It also provides information on household and family size, living arrangements, and ownership rates.	1/7/2002	California Research Bureau, California State Library
	Holding the Line? The Effect of Recent Border Build-up on Unauthorized Immigration	Belinda I. Reyes, Hans P. Johnson, and Richard Van Swearingen	Controlling unauthorized immigration along the U.S.-Mexican border has become an increasingly important national objective. Despite initial bipartisan support for this strategy, concerns about its effectiveness are beginning to emerge. This report addresses the following questions: Has increased border enforcement changed decisions to migrate? Has it changed where and how people cross the U.S.-Mexican border? Has it led to an increase in migrant deaths? Has it altered how long immigrants stay once they arrive? Has it reduced the total number of unauthorized immigrants living in the U.S.? What other policy options might help curb unauthorized immigration?	7/1/2002	Public Policy Institute of California
	A Portrait of Race and Ethnicity in California	Belinda I. Reyes (editor)	California's racial and ethnic composition has changed dramatically over the last generation: so dramatically, in fact, that many businesses, public interest groups, media professionals, and policymakers lack current, reliable information about the state's population. In this sourcebook, Belinda Reyes and a team of researchers examine trends and outcomes in demography, education, health, labor, economic status, crime, political participation, and ethnic geography. Each chapter presents key indicators for the state's four major racial and ethnic groups: whites, African Americans, Asians, and Hispanics. Where possible, the authors also present trends and outcomes for major Asian and Hispanic subgroups.	1/3/2001	Public Policy Institute of California
	Less-Educated Workers In California: A Statistical Abstract	Elias S. Lopez	In 1999, nearly one of five adult workers in California lacked a high school degree. In this report, this group is characterized as Less-Educated Workers." Although comprising 2.5 million workers, very little has been written about this group. This report provides some basic information drawn from Census Bureau surveys.	1/6/2000	California Research Bureau, California State Library
	Major Demographic Shifts Occurring in California	Elias Lopez	This paper shows how California has changed demographically since 1940. This paper contends that there are four major demographic shifts occurring in California. These are: 1) Natural increase is becoming the most important source of population growth. 2) Both types of net migration (domestic or international) have been important to the population growth of California. Between 1940 and 1970, net migration from other states was more important than international migration. From 1970 to 1998, the roles were reversed and international migration was the most important of the two. 3) Diversity is increasing at a very fast pace in California and by the year 2000 no ethnic group will be in the majority, i.e., comprise more than 50 percent of the population. 4) The proportion of persons 65 years and over is growing both numerically and proportionately.	1/10/1999	California Research Bureau, California State Library
	Farmworkers in California	Alicia Bugarin and Elias Lopez	California is the nation's largest agricultural state. It produces more than 250 different crops valued at nearly $25 billion. Large numbers of recent immigrants from Mexico, Central America and Asia, many with low educational skills, provide a ready labor force. Farmworkers play a significant role in one of the state's most important industries. Their working conditions are difficult; they have low earnings, poor or no health benefits, substandard housing, physically taxing and sometimes unsafe work conditions, and long hours.	7/1/1998	California Research Bureau, California State Library
	Dynamics of Immigration: Return Migration to Western Mexico	Belinda I. Reyes	The public cost of immigration is a matter of ongoing and sometimes intense political debate in California. One of the least understood issues in the debate is whether many of those who come to the United States return home and, if so, whether they differ from those who remain. Return migration has important ramifications for a number of policy concerns, including the composition of the immigrant population, the use of social services, and the potential for assimilation. To shed light on this issue, the author analyzes data on return migration for a sample of more than 42,000 immigrants from western Mexico - an area that accounts for a large percentage of California's immigrants.	1/1/1997	Public Policy Institute of California