A new report from the Community College Research Center sheds light on the current policies and practices that shape "dual enrollment" efforts in California. The report, funded by Irvine as part of our Youth program, demonstrates the feasibility of using career-focused dual enrollment programs, in which high school students earn college credit, to enhance college and career opportunities for targeted youth.

In our spring Irvine Quarterly, we covered the launch of an exciting new effort to solve underlying problems in California's governing system. The Irvine-supported organization, California Forward, is now drawing positive attention from the state's leading newspapers for its fresh approach to these seemingly intractable problems. Read the recent news and opinion articles.

Ten of California's largest foundations, including the Irvine Foundation, recently made a joint commitment to increase funding for minority-led and other grassroots organizations that primarily serve low-income and minority communities. Read a letter from Irvine President Jim Canales that describes the commitment, and a news release and statement by the ten foundations.

Irvine's Board of Directors recently approved 34 grants totaling nearly
$22 million to support a variety of efforts in our program areas of Arts, California Perspectives and Youth. Of that, $3.3 million will support four California arts organizations that are exploring new methods of audience development and programming through the support of Irvine's Artistic Innovation Fund. More on the 34 grants.

An unusual alliance is forming among education stakeholders in California that don't always see eye-to-eye, including teacher and labor unions, charter schools, school boards, industry and state government. What's bringing together the more than 60 members of the Coalition for Multiple Pathways is an effort to improve high schools by expanding programs that connect classroom learning with the real world.

As part of the Communities Advancing the Arts initiative, Irvine has launched www.AdvancetheArts.org. This new site shares on-the-ground knowledge, resources and experiences among the initiative's nine community foundations, which are working to grow local funding for the arts in California. The site also invites other community foundations and local partners to bring their perspectives.