Michael Burke
Michael covers higher education. Prior to joining EdSource, he was a reporter in Washington, D.C. He received a B.A. in journalism from Syracuse University.
All articles by Michael Burke
Students at rural community college can earn a bachelor’s and help prevent wildfires
Feather River College is the latest of California's community colleges to get approval for a bachelor's degree program.
Michael Burke
March 7, 2023
Biden’s plan to forgive student loans may be in jeopardy after Supreme Court arguments
Conservative majority on U.S. Supreme Court expressed doubts about canceling $400 billion in student loan debt.
Michael Burke
February 28, 2023
California community colleges rely too much on part-time faculty and misspend funds, audit finds
California's state auditor says community colleges are misspending money meant to hire full-time faculty and is calling on the chancellor's office to provide better oversight.
Michael Burke
February 27, 2023
Sonya Christian named chancellor of California Community Colleges
Christian, chancellor of the Kern Community College District, will be the 11th chancellor in the system's history and the first woman in the role.
Michael Burke
February 23, 2023
Key lawmaker endorses transfer admissions guarantee across University of California
Kevin McCarty, D-Sacramento, said during an Assembly subcommittee hearing Tuesday that UC should participate in the Associate Degree for Transfer program.
Michael Burke
February 21, 2023
Key decisions await next California Community Colleges chancellor as search winds down
California's community colleges will soon have a new chancellor, who will have to decide how to wield limited power as the colleges try to build back from dramatic enrollment declines.
Michael Burke
January 26, 2023
University of California planning to expand outreach at 65 California community colleges
The University of California wants to enroll more community college transfers and now plans to expand outreach at more than half of the state's community colleges.
Michael Burke
January 20, 2023
University of California behind schedule in growing enrollment of in-state students
Despite lawmakers and Gov. Gavin Newsom asking UC to add thousands of California resident undergraduates, the system enrolled fewer of those students this year.
Michael Burke
January 13, 2023
Newsom’s higher education budget includes promised increases to UC and CSU
Despite revenues being down in California, Gov. Gavin Newsom kept his promise to increase funding at the state's public university systems.
Michael Burke And Ashley A. Smith
January 10, 2023
In California, U.S. Education Secretary Cardona calls for states to up funding, lays out student debt relief case
As federal relief dollars for schools run out, states should respond by increasing funding for education, U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said in an interview.
Michael Burke
January 10, 2023
UC regents permit UCLA teams to move to Big Ten
After months of deliberations, UC's board of regents voted Wednesday to allow UCLA to move most of its athletic programs to the Big Ten, but with caveats.
Michael Burke
December 14, 2022
Students fear losing aid as grades are withheld during strike
UC faculty have pledged to withhold more than 30,000 grades this fall in solidarity with striking graduate workers. That could have implications for undergraduates who need certain grade point averages to keep their financial aid.
Michael Burke
December 7, 2022
As tensions mount over final grades, academic researchers and scholars reach tentative agreement with UC
Agreement covers 12,000 of the 48,000 strikers while faculty across the University of California pledged not to submit grades until striking academic workers' demands are met.
Michael Burke And Ashley A. Smith
November 28, 2022
California community colleges eye a different future amid pandemic disruption
The record pandemic-fueled loss in enrollment has put California Community Colleges at a turning point amid student demands for flexible classes, jobs training and easier paths to universities.
Michael Burke, Daniel J. Willis, EdSource; Debbie Truong, Los Angeles Times
November 18, 2022
Supreme Court conservative majority signals opposition to affirmative action
The Supreme Court heard oral arguments Monday in two affirmative action cases. The six conservative members signaled they may overturn decades of precedent and rule that race-conscious admissions are unlawful.