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
California State University suspends SAT/ACT testing for 2021-22 admissions, joining UC
CSU officials say their action does not mean testing is permanently dropped as an admissions requirement. Grade point averages will take on more weight.
Larry Gordon
April 17, 2020
SAT and ACT plan at-home college admissions exams for fall if crisis keeps schools closed
Exams will include high-tech proctoring to discourage cheating. UC temporarily has dropped the tests as admissions requirements.
Larry Gordon
April 16, 2020
Much shorter Advanced Placement tests welcomed by some students, criticized by others
Despite health crisis, students still want to earn college credit with good AP scores. Anti-cheating measures will be enforced for at-home tests scheduled in May.
Larry Gordon
April 14, 2020
University of California suspends SAT/ACT requirements for 2021 applicants
UC's one-year pause in testing does not mean a permanent end to SAT/ACT for admissions. CSU may follow. Neither university will require letter grades for high school courses this spring.
Larry Gordon
April 1, 2020
Eight California State University campuses extend freshman enrollment deadlines to June 1
Accepted applicants are given an extra month, until June 1, to make deposits. Other CSU campuses may follow. UC is sticking with a May 1 deadline.
Larry Gordon
April 1, 2020
Coronavirus crisis spurs high school seniors’ anxieties about college plans
The health crisis has high school seniors worried about college enrollment deadlines. Other concerns rise about grades and financial aid. Colleges promise some flexibility.
Larry Gordon
March 27, 2020
University of California retreats from tuition increase plan — at least for now
UC leaders said it would have been unseemly to approve a tuition hike during the coronavirus emergency. The proposal would have hiked tuition by $606, or 4.8 percent, for next fall's freshmen.
Larry Gordon
March 18, 2020
Give us a tuition break, say California students forced into online university classes
Most colleges and universities will refund housing and dining plans but not tuition; they say online classes worth the costs.
Larry Gordon
March 17, 2020
UC to consider a new type of tuition hikes over next five years
Plan calls for $606, or 4.8 percent, tuition increase to $13,176 for next fall's freshmen. Aid will shield many students.
Larry Gordon
March 10, 2020
Cal State Long Beach shows biggest graduation rate gains of all 23 CSU campuses
As all 23 California State University campuses are under pressure to improve their graduation rates, Cal State Long Beach has shown the biggest gains in getting students who entered as freshmen to finish within four years.
Larry Gordon
February 24, 2020
Critics will fight on despite faculty report urging University of California to keep SAT and ACT in admissions
A faculty task force says the University of California should continue to require SAT or ACT for freshmen admissions. Opponents will continue their fight.
Larry Gordon And Michael Burke
February 4, 2020
Colleges enlist anti-dropout agents: Mom and Dad
Colleges offer programs for parents who want to help their children graduate on time.
Larry Gordon
February 3, 2020
University of California regents divided over tuition hikes; vote delayed
Tuition hike proposals met opposition from Gov. Newsom and students. No clear majority on UC board of regents.
Larry Gordon
January 23, 2020
Gov. Newsom, students protest University of California tuition hikes — vote delayed
Gov. Newsom and students opposed proposals to hike tuition at the University of California. Board of regents delayed vote.
Larry Gordon
January 21, 2020
UC looking at plans to hike tuition for the next five years
The UC board of regents will vote next week on two plans to increase tuition. Hikes tied to inflation could continue for five years.