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In California, there are an estimated 400,000 undergraduate and graduate students who are also parents. Student parents can face many challenges as they pursue their academic goals and balance parenting responsibilities. For student parents of infants and toddlers, these challenges can be overwhelming, especially when there is inadequate institutional support, and can result in their delayed enrollment times and lower graduation rates. 

Our new brief, Supporting Student Parents and their Young Children in California’s Institutions of Higher Education, shares insights into the unique needs and challenges  these parenting students face and recommendations for how institutions of higher education (IHEs) can better position themselves to address and meet the needs of both parent and young child. The brief also highlights Pasadena City College, the University of California, Los Angeles, and California Polytechnic University, Pomona, as bright spots where intentional and innovative efforts are underway to support student parents of young children on their respective campuses.

By identifying this population’s diverse needs and addressing unique challenges, California’s higher education system can foster the educational success, economic mobility, and well-being of both parents and young children in a two-generational approach.  

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Early Edge California is a nonprofit advocacy organization dedicated to improving access to high-quality Early Learning experiences for all California children so they can have a strong foundation for future success.