How to resolve AdBlock issue? 
Education
- Details
- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
The bill prohibits postsecondary schools from withholding transcripts from students who owe a debt and ensures students are not hamstrung in pursuing educational and career opportunities by the practices of certain schools and colleges.
“As our nation struggles under the weight of a $1.5 trillion student debt crisis, it is essential that we follow every road to help students succeed,” said Attorney General Becerra. “Today, with AB 1313 signed into law, California is a taking a step toward solving a chicken and egg dilemma. Students with debt can no longer be denied their transcripts – one of the most important tools students need to help address their debt. We’re proud to help protect students from unfair debt collection practices – no one should be denied opportunity simply because of their financial situation.”
“Thank you Gov. Newsom for signing AB 1313, which gives all of our students a chance to succeed regardless of their financial situation. A recent UC Student Association study highlighted that students of color and low-income students are three times more likely to take on student loan debt than their white and wealthier peers,” said Assemblywoman Luz Rivas. “There are plenty of other options on the table for the collection of debt, but withholding a student’s transcript should not be one of those options. The passage of AB 1313 eliminates higher education institutions’ ability to use the predatory practice of withholding transcripts to collect student debt. California continues to put students first."
AB 1313 was introduced to address educational policy that allowed schools to withhold transcripts to collect debt. California has taken steps to move away from this practice.
Last year, California passed AB 1974, which prohibits K-12 public and charter schools from withholding grades or transcripts from students because they owe a debt. AB 1313 addresses the same issue at postsecondary schools and colleges by prohibiting them from conditioning the provision of a transcript on the payment of a debt.
Postsecondary schools would also be prohibited from charging a higher fee or providing a less favorable treatment of a request for a transcript simply because the student owes a debt.
This legislation was prompted by investigations conducted by the California Department of Justice which unveiled instances where schools and colleges have threatened to withhold transcripts from students who owe, or are alleged to owe, debt as a tactic to collect this money, even when the debt was invalid.
Withholding transcripts interferes with economic opportunity and causes severe hardships for current and former students, because a transcript is often required to secure a job, transfer or apply to another school, or obtain certain licenses.
A copy of the bill can be found here.
- Details
- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
FORT BRAGG, Calif. – Students of Mendocino College’s Krenov School of Fine Woodworking were welcomed to the coastal community with a surprise gift.
Each of the 23 students enrolled in the year-long program received a $75 gift card to Rossi Building Materials.
The gift cards were jointly provided by the Mendocino College Foundation and Rossi’s, and will help students purchase materials for the course.
“It is a really nice welcome to the town and will be genuinely useful to our students,” said Krenov School Director Laura Mays.
This year’s class of woodworkers includes 17 first-year students and six second-year students.
Students have travelled to Fort Bragg to participate in the program from Denmark, Austria, England, Australia, South Africa, Canada, and all over the United States, from Hawaii to New York.
The Krenov School was founded in 1981 by a group of Mendocino woodworkers who invited renowned woodworker and author James Krenov to the area.
The school was under the auspices of College of the Redwoods until 2017 when it was transferred to Mendocino College.
Students are engaged in full-time study, eight hours a day, six days a week over two semesters.
The gift cards were presented to the incoming class by Anna Kvinsland, development director for the Mendocino College Foundation.
Second-year student Kristi Williams spoke for the returning students when she said, “We second-year students are very grateful to be back, with the kind community’s support.”
To learn more about Mendocino College’s Krenov School of Fine Woodworking, go to https://thekrenovschool.org.
To find out how you can support local students, contact Kvinsland by email at
- Details
- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
Drop in anytime between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. to receive one-on-one assistance with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA; Promise Grant; DREAM Act; Pell Grant; and Cal Grant.
Spanish-speaking services will be provided between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Attendees who complete an exit survey will be entered in a drawing to win prizes.
To prepare for the event, students and parents need to bring 2018 income information and Social Security Number or residency information (if applicable).
Those who are uncertain whether they qualify for financial aid are encouraged to complete the FAFSA or DREAM Act to receive the LCC Promise Grant.
All first-time college students enrolled in 12 units or more receive free tuition for the first two years, regardless of financial aid status.
For more information, please contact 707-995-7900.
The Lake County Campus is located at 15880 Dam Road Extension, Clearlake.
For more information about the Lake County Campus, visit https://lcc.yccd.edu/.
- Details
- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
The national event highlights the health benefits of walking to school and the need for safe places for students to walk and bike to school.
OTS’ partners with the California Highway Patrol, along with many local law enforcement agencies, will be working with schools, parents and caretakers to make sure students walking or biking are getting to class safely.
This includes helping crossing guards and reminding drivers to look for children crossing the street, especially near schools during morning pick-up and drop-off times.
“Creating a safe environment for children to get to and from school is important in every community,” OTS Director Barbara Rooney said.
“It allows students to utilize alternative transportation options that make going to school an enjoyable experience.”
When walking or biking to school, the OTS reminds parents and guardians of important safety tips to teach children when they are on the go:
• Look left-right-left before crossing the street. Continue looking for cars as you cross.
• Use crosswalks whenever possible, preferably at stop signs or signals.
• Make eye contact with drivers. Make sure they see you before crossing the street.
• Walk with friends or a group.
• Avoid using a cell phone or listening to music while walking.
Schools nationwide have been promoting walking to school as an alternative to driving since 1997.
The annual event is intended to raise awareness about traffic safety around schools and encourage neighborhood connectivity.
To see which schools are participating, visit http://www.walkbiketoschool.org/. More than 400 schools throughout California are signed up this year for Walk to School Day events.
The OTS administers funding for traffic safety programs statewide with the goal of reducing crashes that result in deaths, injuries, and economic losses.
The OTS is a department under the California State Transportation Agency.