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 graduation rates show uneven progress, some backsliding
Eleven campuses still graduated less than 20 percent of students who entered as freshmen four years ago.
Larry Gordon
February 5, 2019
Cal State pledges to freeze tuition in response to governor's budget plan
CSU tuition will be frozen for a second year in a row at $5,742 annually for full time undergraduates who are California residents. Undergraduates taking six or fewer credits still would pay $3,330.
Larry Gordon
January 22, 2019
Newsom's higher education budget would boost aid, freeze tuition and repair campuses
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s overall $209 billion budget would increase the amount the state spends on the California State University system by $562 million.
Larry Gordon And Mikhail Zinshteyn
January 10, 2019
California higher education leaders have high hopes for Newsom's spending plans
Higher education experts expect Newsom to be more generous to academia than Gov. Brown. New funding and expansion of free community college tuition are anticipated.
Larry Gordon
January 2, 2019
California students, first in their families to attend college, mentor each other to succeed
The Level Up program matches low-income California freshmen with slightly older mentors at 29 colleges. The advice and friendship help keep students in school, organizers say.
Larry Gordon
December 16, 2018
Latino students in California still lag in college success
A report by an advocacy group says that California's future economy depends on the educational success of the growing Latino community.
Larry Gordon
November 12, 2018
Cal State starts new era, ending no-credit remedial classes
Faculty sought a year's delay before dropping non-credit remedial courses but CSU went ahead this fall. So far, prospects seem promising.
Larry Gordon
November 8, 2018
California's SAT scores rise, beat national averages
While overall scores rose, only 48 percent of California students did well enough on the SAT to be considered fully college ready. Ethnic disparities remain as well.
Larry Gordon
October 24, 2018
Cal State system reports improvement in graduation rates
Cal State system's ambitious Graduation Initiative 2025 seeks a huge increase in completion rates by the middle of the next decade. Efforts include adding classes, improving counseling and urging students to take full course loads.
Larry Gordon
October 17, 2018
New warnings about California students juggling college and jobs
Colleges are looking at ways to help students who work long hours at jobs. Studies show grades slip and graduation is at risk when students work more than 15 hours, but the students say they have few alternatives when financial aid is not enough.
Larry Gordon
October 14, 2018
Millions of Californians who started college could use help to finish it
Adults who start college but never finish face financial aid and scheduling roadblocks in returning, a new report explains. Without diplomas, their earnings and opportunities are less.
Larry Gordon
October 10, 2018
California ranks high in national study about black college students but criticism remains
The USC report weighed black students' enrollment and graduation rates, among other factors. California ranked third highest in the nation, although author said results are actually mediocre and should be not celebrated.
Larry Gordon
September 24, 2018
University of California campus reaches far afield for transfer students to meet state mandate
The state is pushing UC campuses to widen access to undergraduate degrees by increasing the number of transfer students. UC Riverside's efforts seem to be working, avoiding possible state financial sanctions.
Larry Gordon
September 11, 2018
California student leaders focus on affordability
The voting student representatives on governing boards of UC, CSU and community colleges advocate for more housing and textbook aid.
Larry Gordon
August 12, 2018
L.A. school board member resigns after pleading guilty to campaign money laundering
Ref Rodriguez's resignation ends the charter-backed majority on the Los Angeles Unified school board. Replacement plans are uncertain.