Larry Gordon
Larry Gordon was a higher education writer at the Los Angeles Times, where he covered colleges and universities in California and nationwide. He won the first place award for education reporting in 2014 from the California Newspaper Publishers Association. Larry previously was a reporter and editor at the Bergen Record in his home state New Jersey. He was a mid-career Fulbright Fellow, teaching journalism at the American University in Bulgaria. He earned a master’s degree at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism and a bachelor’s at Georgetown University. He is co-author of the hiking guide “Stairway Walks in Los Angeles.” He is based in Los Angeles.
All articles by Larry Gordon
New online tool to track and encourage college aid applications statewide
About 56 percent of California high school seniors applied for federal or state financial aid for college. The new dashboard aims to increase that number and allow schools to compare their statistics to other schools around California.
Larry Gordon
October 5, 2017
Less than half of all students fully college-ready on revised SAT test
The test’s content was dramatically changed last year to align much more closely with subject material taught in high school. Gaps among racial groups persist in California and nationally.
Larry Gordon
September 26, 2017
CSU faculty rebels against changes in remedial and math education, calls for delay
Faculty wants a one-year delay to discuss reforms that include dropping no-credit remedial classes and allowing students to fulfill math requirements that don't need Algebra II skills.
Larry Gordon And Mikhail Zinshteyn
September 19, 2017
California college students continue to borrow less than those in 47 other states
Among California's 2016 graduates, 53 percent borrowed for education and their average total debt was $22,744. Only Utah and New Mexico had lower loads.
Larry Gordon
September 19, 2017
Quick Guide: Understanding DACA and education in California
A possible phase-out of DACA won't mean changes to California's financial aid to undocumented students. But those students are worried about their futures if they lose their permits to work legally and might face deportation.
Larry Gordon
September 5, 2017
College leaders urge changes to California's Higher Education master plan to improve access and affordability
The first of five hearings around the state starts to examine the 1960 plan that governs the missions of UC, CSU and community colleges. Legislators say it is time for some changes but that it could take years to develop concrete reforms.
Larry Gordon
August 31, 2017
Trump wants to cut college work study amid calls to boost job aid to public campuses
The Trump administration has proposed cutting work-study funding in half. Reformers want the payment formula to be changed so that expensive, private colleges don't receive so many advantages in the program.
Larry Gordon And Mikhail Zinshteyn
August 30, 2017
UC faculty mentors will help the growing ranks of first-generation students
Almost half of UC's incoming freshman are in the first generation in their families to attend a four-year college or university. UC is bolstering counseling and other support for those students to help them graduate.
Larry Gordon
August 23, 2017
California wants to simplify its $2 billion-a-year college aid programs
The state's student aid commission is looking for ideas to consolidate various Cal Grants and other grant programs.
Larry Gordon
August 22, 2017
'A pathological optimist,' counseling award winner urges students to pursue college aid
Statewide award recipient Lynda McGee was praised for her efforts to get low-income students into college. She says that some students should try to attend college away from home to have a better shot at finishing in four years.
Larry Gordon
August 20, 2017
Quick Guide: Understanding Cal Grant financial aid for college students
Cal Grants are among the most generous state-funded student aid programs in the nation and can cover entire tuition at CSU and UC.
Larry Gordon
August 6, 2017
California state universities add dorm rooms as strategy to raise graduation rates, provide affordable housing
The 23-campus CSU system enrolls an overwhelmingly commuter student body but some campuses are trying to increase housing.
Larry Gordon
July 30, 2017
More recommendation letters likely to be sought for UC admissions
The new policy would allow UC's nine undergraduate campuses to seek recommendation letters and other information from up to 15 percent of their freshman applicants. The change will be monitored to see if it hurts low-income and minority students.
Larry Gordon
July 12, 2017
UC admits more students from outside California but officials expect more state residents will enroll
The number of freshman admission offers to -in-state students declined 1.7 percent to 69,972 but UC officials say they still expect a rise in actual enrollment. Meanwhile the offers to students from other states and nations were up 4 percent in the last year before new enrollment limits on them go into effect.
Larry Gordon
July 6, 2017
California colleges transform remedial courses to raise graduation rates
Co-requisite courses combine college and remedial level material, give more class time and offer more tutoring. More colleges in California and other states are expected to introduce them.