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Publications
ConnectEd produces publications including policy papers, research reports, manuals, and various informative summaries to contribute to discussions on high school improvement.
Building a Linked Learning Pathway
April 2013
This guide provides an overview of a more robust online guide and tool kit available through ConnectEd Studios. It supplies a glimpse of the sequence of steps involved in creating a new Linked Learning pathway. This publication can help coaches, district leadership, and pathway teams gain an understanding of the overall process of designing and implementing pathways that will continue to improve over time and become high-quality learning environments for students. For more information contact Rob Atterbury at ratterbury@connectedcalifornia.org.
Leading High School Transformation for College and Career Success
September 2012
This ConnectEd Guide for Developing a System of Linked Learning Pathways will introduce school district leaders and their community partners to Linked Learning and a system of quality pathways that can transform high schools, instructional practice, and the student experience. Not intended to be prescriptive, this document can and should be adapted to meet local needs. For more information contact Roman Stearns at rstearns@connectedcalifornia.org.
College and Career Readiness: What Do We Mean?
April 2012
This second draft of ConnectEd's College and Career Framework provides a clear summary and synthesis of over two decades of research into what students should know and be able to do upon graduation for post-secondary success. This Framework is intended for use by teachers, schools and districts, as well as researchers and policymakers, to help inform decisions around assessment, accountability, curriculum, instruction, professional development, program design and resource allocation. This Framework, while widely applicable, is especially important for those pursuing Linked Learning as a secondary reform strategy. The Framework's primary author is Svetlana Darche of WestEd. For more information, please contact Brad Stam at bstam@connectedcalifornia.org and Svetlana Darche at sdarche@wested.org. Download the Executive Summary here.
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Framework for Developing a System of Linked Learning Pathways
November 2012
For school districts and communities aiming to develop a system of Linked Learning
pathways, this publication provides the knowledge base needed to understand the
infrastructure for supporting such a system. The Critical Elements that make up the
Framework describe the outcomes of the system-building work.
The Linked Learning Advantage: Using Linked Learning to Implement Common Core State Standards
October 2012
This brief examines the Common Core State Standards and their implications for Linked Learning, an innovative high school reform approach in California that prepares students for college and career by connecting learning in the classroom with real-world applications outside of school. This brief aims to address the ways in which the common standards align with and can be adopted by Linked Learning teachers, schools, and districts to ensure that all their students are ready for success in college, careers, and citizenship. This work is made possible through generous support from the James Irvine Foundation.
Criteria for Linked Learning Quality Review and Continuous Improvement
October 2012
This publication outlines elements that should be included in a quality pathway.
Rubric for Linked Learning Quality Review and Continuous Improvement
October 2012
The Rubric offers 19 elements that a district or school should consider in implementing programs and describes four stages of growth, ranging from foundation pieces to full development.
Guide to Building a Broad-Based Coalition: Supporting the Development and Sustainability of a System of Pathways
April 2010
This step-by-step Guide will help communities conceptualize and form a Broad-Based Coalition that will mature over time and ultimately assume primary responsibility for sustaining a system of high quality pathways.
Designing Multidisciplinary Integrated Curriculum Units
February 2010
This manual provides a roadmap for planning, developing, and implementing a multidisciplinary, career–focused, and integrated high school curriculum—one key element of a Linked Learning pathway.
Evidence from California Partnership Academies: One Model of Pathways
May 2008
This 4–page document describes three key pieces of evidence supporting adoption of the Linked Learning approach. Those attending California Partnership Academies had better California High School Exit Exam pass rates, completed more rigorous courses, and had better high school graduation rates. Operating in more than 300 high schools, California Partnership Academies are one model of Linked Learning pathways.
Derived from: A Profile of the California Partnership Academies 2004–05, March 2007
Expanding Pathways: Transforming High School Education in California
January 2008
This policy paper defines Linked Learning, offers evidence for its effectiveness, and outlines policy and implementation recommendations for expanding high quality programs in California. ConnectEd hopes the paper will spark ideas and discussion about how to move from its general policy recommendations to more specific programmatic and legislative ideas for expanding pathways.
Summary of Curriculum Units: Health and Biomedical Science Program of Study Integrated Curriculum Units
2008
ConnectEd develops curriculum units that integrate academic and technical content in hands-on project-based lessons. This summary document outlines the focus of each of 10 units in the health and biomedical science industry sector, listing lessons by academic subject.
Why Pathways? A Better Approach to Transforming High School Education in California
2008
Looking for a brief yet comprehensive description of Linked Learning? This eight page summary describes key principles behind the approach and the core components that make up a pathway. It also lists ten major areas needing attention to expand access to pathways across the state.
A Profile of California Partnership Academies 2009-2010
October 2011
California Partnerships Academies are in the forefront of initiatives aimed at preparing high school students for both college and career, not just one or the other. In this report from ConnectEd and the Career Academy Support Network, the evidence suggests that the partnership academies are succeeding in several important fronts. Students in Partnership Academies were more likely to pass the high school exit exam as sophomores, complete courses required for entrance to California's public universities, and graduate from high school on time.