Ashley Smith

reporter for EdSource who covers higher education

Ashley Smith on KCRW

For decades, Californians have been able to earn associate degrees behind bars. This fall, a new slate of bachelor’s degree programs will start.

Behind bars, Californians are still earning bachelor’s degrees

For decades, Californians have been able to earn associate degrees behind bars. This fall, a new slate of bachelor’s degree programs will start.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

KCRW talks to students from UC Irvine and UC Berkeley about life on campus this fall during the pandemic.

Zoom classes, no dorm parties, daily symptom checks: Living on-campus during the pandemic

KCRW talks to students from UC Irvine and UC Berkeley about life on campus this fall during the pandemic.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

More from KCRW

Legal advocates are helping families with mixed immigration status make guardianship plans for their children, just in case the adults are detained by immigration authorities.

from KCRW Features

Proposition 3 would enshrine the right for same-sex couples to marry in the California constitution. It would also repeal and replace language from 2008 that says otherwise.

from KCRW Features

World-famous pianist Hershey Felder talks about his new role as composer Sergei Rachamanioff in the new play, “ Rachmaninoff and the Tsar ,” at the Broad Stage in Santa Monica.

from KCRW Features

The Santa Ana school board voted to gut hundreds of school employees to remedy their $187 million budget deficit. What’s next for the district’s future?

from KCRW Features

Marina Del Rey Middle School went phone-free a year ahead of the Los Angeles Unified School District’s 2025 mandate. It changed everything.

from KCRW Features

Tanya Reyes is an LAUSD teacher who's earning more money than her family did when she was growing up. But still finds herself struggling financially.

from KCRW Features

The U.S. says Israel was behind this week’s remote detonations of Hezbollah’s communication devices. How was the operation pulled off?

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Four years after protesters called to defund the police, voters worried about crime are poised to toss out a reformer D.A. and pass a tough-on-crime bill.

from KCRW Features

A commuter train that emits only water vapor will start carrying SoCal passengers in early 2025. State officials have already ordered 10 more.

from KCRW Features