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 Community College faculty groups vote no confidence in chancellor
Faculty complain they have been ignored in important changes at the 115 colleges. Community college leaders say change can be challenging.
Larry Gordon
May 14, 2019
Gov. Newsom proposes more help for homeless California college students but no major Cal Grant boost
Much debate is ahead about legislation to expand Cal Grants beyond tuition costs. Gov. Newsom says state must balance different needs.
Larry Gordon
May 10, 2019
California colleges help students dress for success — for free
More colleges open shops to provide students with free professional attire for work interviews, internships and new jobs.
Larry Gordon
May 7, 2019
Private California colleges win changes in scandal-related legislation
California private colleges continue to oppose a revised bill that seeks information on legacy admissions. They contend that a threatened Cal Grant loss will hurt low-income students.
Larry Gordon
May 1, 2019
California’s newest college will blend online and face-to-face job training
Very different from traditional community colleges, it targets 8 million underemployed Californians and aims to be tuition-free.
Larry Gordon
April 24, 2019
A 4th year of high school math for CSU admissions? Just the idea triggers debate
A fourth course of high school math could be calculus, computer science, statistics, business math to fill possible extra CSU entrance requirement.
Larry Gordon
April 10, 2019
California legislators seek reforms after college admissions scandal
Lawmakers say they want to level the admissions playing field. Sweeping proposals would add oversight to athletics admissions, ban legacy admissions and regulate private counselors.
Larry Gordon
March 28, 2019
College admissions scandal upsetting to California's low-income students
Some students wonder whether their college spots are taken by affluent cheaters. Most still believe hard work in high school will land them at a good college.
Larry Gordon
March 28, 2019
California colleges expand mental health services to meet rising needs
California’s colleges are reacting to “an epidemic” of students’ mental health problems. Proposals to boost funding may mean more therapists, shorter waiting times.
Larry Gordon
March 20, 2019
California community colleges show little progress in student graduations and transfers
Community colleges remain a long way from the 2021-22 targets for students to complete degrees and transfer to UC or CSU.
Larry Gordon
March 18, 2019
UC regents revolt against $762 tuition hike for non-Californians
Tuition for state residents will remain at $12,570. The now postponed plan would have hiked tuition for non-residents by $762 to $42,324. Criticism was surprisingly strong.
Larry Gordon
March 14, 2019
UC says higher tuition for out-of-staters will help Californians
Proponents say extra tuition from non-Californians will pay for classes, aid for state residents. Protesters fear only the rich from outside the state will afford UC.
Larry Gordon
March 6, 2019
California’s black students lag in college completion despite some gains
With only a third of black adults earning a degree, the report urges colleges to get more students to come back and finish.
Larry Gordon
February 20, 2019
CA Gov. Newsom's higher ed advisor to tackle access and financial aid issues
Lande Ajose said parents want to know if their children can get into college, afford it and “get out in a reasonable amount of time so they can start the rest of their lives and not be burdened by debt.”
Larry Gordon
February 7, 2019
Gov. Newsom and his school spending ideas are popular with Californians, poll finds
Forty-four percent of adults approved of the way Newsom is handling his new job, 23 percent disapproved. Newsom’s support was strongest in his home San Francisco Bay area (52 percent),lowest in the Inland Empire (36 percent).