Building Public Will and Educating Policy-makers

America's Edge is a national non-profit organization of business leaders dedicated to strengthening businesses and the economy through investments in children and youth. Its work in California consists primarily of building public will for Linked Learning through earned media strategies and educating policy-makers about the promising effects that Linked Learning is having on students throughout the state. America's Edge members are guiding the way to a stronger and more sustainable economy through their support of programs that provide immediate benefits to businesses' bottom lines and that will help develop a workforce with the 21st century skills American businesses need to succeed.

Communications Planning for the Field

The organizations working on multiple pathways have decided to use the phrase “Linked Learning” rather than “multiple pathways” to describe the approach. The Coalition for Multiple Pathways will now be known as the Linked Learning Alliance to align with the Linked Learning name. These changes are part of a broader communications strategy the field has undertaken to build awareness about the Linked Learning approach and its benefits.

Multiple Pathway Feasibility Report: AB 2648 Implementation

On May 12, the California Department of Education released the AB 2648 Multiple Pathways Report, which explores the feasibility of establishing and expanding additional pathways in California.

Beyond Tracking: Multiple Pathways to College, Career and Civic Participation

Published by Harvard Press, Beyond Tracking: Multiple Pathways to College Career and Civic Participation is an expert collection of research essays that examine how the Linked Learning approach to high school education (formally referred to as Multiple Pathways) can serve the educational, economic, and democratic purposes of schools. This collection examines the promises and the challenges of implementing an approach that prepares all students for college, careers and civic participation.

Regional Economic Association Leaders (REAL) Coalition

The Regional Economic Association Leaders (REAL) Coalition is composed of 17 of California's most influential business associations throughout the state, representing over 11,000 employers and more than 3 million California jobs. Formed in 2008, the purpose of the coalition is to address and advocate for important issues of common concern to participating organizations. Pathway development, education, and workforce development are critical issues for REAL.

Regional Educational Collaboratives

ABC and the United Way of Greater LA continue to convene community partners from regional collaboratives to work with selected academies at local high schools to develop various components of Linked Learning pathways such as work-based learning opportunities and integrated curriculum. In particular, community partners are also leading on-going public awareness efforts at the school-site for faculty, parents and students and will soon begin the development of a community-based Parent and Youth Engagement Campaign around Linked Learning.

Creating Successful Pathways: Useful Research for Educators and Policymakers

UCLA's IDEA is conducting 10 case studies of schools and programs that have demonstrated successful implementation of a Linked Learning approach or have taken preliminary and promising steps towards full implementation. Using a mixed-methods approach, IDEA researchers will provide clear examples of how each school enacts Linked Learning principles, including their strategy and results. The 10 research sites, located throughout California, represent many issues that schools are likely to face when implementing pathways. Taken together, finding from these schools/programs can help shape the way policymakers, education leaders, and the public think about Linked Learning, guide new policies that can create the conditions for successful pathway schools, and inform educators' on-the-ground implementation.

Evaluation of the Demonstration Sites in the ConnctEd Network

To advance Linked Learning, ConnectEd established a Network of Schools consisting of a group of pathway demonstration sites. During the 2007–08 school year, the James Irvine Foundation commissioned an evaluation of those network sites. The evaluation revealed that, in certain areas, network sites were producing better student outcomes compared to the statewide average. For example, network sites on average had higher graduation rates, better pass rates on the California High School Exit Exam, increased numbers of students completing courses needed to prepare students for California's four-year public colleges, and greater student engagement in school. Key areas for improvement also emerged in the evaluation, which are outlined with their implications for the field on ConnectEd's website.

Teachers and Linked Learning

CFTL released results in December 2009 from a two-year original research project on high school reform efforts in California and the implications for the teacher development system. The report found that California's teacher development system is not adequately aligned with high school reforms that seek to increase rigor, make school more relevant and foster more personal and supportive learning environments for students.

Development of Policy and Position Papers

Several Coalition partners, including ACSA, PACE, and the California Education Round Table have released policy and papers that support Linked Learning.

Pathway Cost Analysis

PACE has conducted an empirical analysis of the costs involved in starting up and operating Linked Learning in California high schools. The report has yet to be released.

Green Curriculum

Along with the California Department of Education, and the Career Academy Support Network, ConnectEd is currently surveying the field to identify and conduct a gap analysis of high-quality curriculum appropriate for academies incorporating green themes into their instruction. The California Department of Education is also sponsoring school-based development of new green curriculum within the Green CPAs. CASN has added a section to its joint website with the California Partnership Academies (casn.berkeley.edu) with a database of over 100 abstracts sources of such curriculum.

Pre-Algebra Curriculum

In partnership with the National Academy Foundation, ConnectEd has developed 4 pre-algebra units and 6 algebra 1 units that teach and reinforce fundamental math skills and understanding through designing and building engineering-themed projects. The pre-algebra units are intended for use as a bridge curriculum between grades 9 and 10, to bolster students' math skills prior to entering high school. The algebra 1 units are drop-in units that can supplement or replace existing chapters from a traditional algebra 1 text. These units are in use in several districts around the state.

Engineering Curriculum

In partnership with the National Academy Foundation, ConnectEd is developing 10 standards-based integrated units of instruction for math, science, history, and English teachers working in engineering and architecture pathways. These curriculum units integrate directly with the design projects that are part of the Project Lead the Way, Inc. Pathway to Engineering Curriculum, and are in use in several districts around the state.

Arts, Media, and Entertainment Curriculum

In partnership with the Education Development Center, ConnectEd is overseeing the development of a four-year interdisciplinary arts, media, and entertainment curriculum. This curriculum provides an inquiry-oriented, project-based foundation for students to pursue an interest in a design and visual arts pathway. The first phase of this work is a two-course sequence that addresses CTE standards for grades 9 and 10, and also provides integrated standards-based connections to English language arts, math, science, and social studies.

Biomedical and Health Science Curriculum

In partnership with the National Academy Foundation and with support from the California Endowment, ConnectEd is developing a health science program of study for students interested in pursuing a career in the health sciences. Development of the initial first year foundation course is underway. This and future courses will incorporate the integrated curriculum already developed by ConnectEd where appropriate.

Applied Mathematics Curriculum

Coalition for Multiple Pathways members developed applied mathematics curricula to address one of the most intractable education problems we have—how to get students to succeed in early high school math. Two of these programs are designed as supplemental instruction, a critical element needed to support student success in pathway programs.

New Teacher Peperation Programs

In May 2009, the first cohort of 25 credential candidates completed their Single Subject Credential with a multiple pathways lens at San Diego State University. Two new cohorts of approximately 25 each began the program in fall 2009. Currently, with support from the James Irvine Foundation, seven teacher preparation institutions have joined or will soon join the network to prepare teachers to teach in Linked Learning programs. Vital to these teacher preparation programs are fieldwork experiences in which credential candidates participate in secondary schools that include Linked Learning reforms. ConnectEd has launched a web-portal that is an online source of materials and opportunities for collaboration among faculty, students, and schools that are a part of this initiative. Each summer a Convening is held in San Diego to bring the partner institutions together for planning and professional development.

Commission on Teacher Credentialing

The CTC is seeking California educators and professionals who have experience and expertise with administrator preparation programs to serve on an advisory panel concerning a study of the preparation of leaders for California's schools. The major purpose of this study is to review the content, structure and requirements for administrator preparation to ensure that these remain appropriate to the needs of administrators serving in California schools. Further, the study should also provide recommendations concerning how to effectively identify administrators who would be adept in providing instructional leadership and be able to effectively lead transformational change within California schools. Applications are due by Friday, June 7, 2010.

New Energy Academies Program

In partnership with the Pacific Gas and Electric company, the Department of Education launched a “green energy” themed high school program. The New Energy Academy program is currently going through its first year of planning focusing on curriculum planning and teacher development. The selected schools are: Berkeley High School (Berkeley); Edison High School (Fresno); Foothill High School (Sacramento); Independence High School (Bakersfield); and Venture Academy (Stockton).

Los Angeles Unified School District

LAUSD passed the Multiple Pathway resolution requiring pathways to be developed in each sub-district by 2016. The district has Identified existing themed small learning communities to serve as demonstration sites. Training for teachers and administrators of the sites will occur over the summer. In addition, the district is working to tie service learning and work experience education programs to the themed small learning community project based learning.

California Linked Learning District Initiative

Many California school districts have committed to expand pathway options for their students in an effort to raise student achievement and increase graduation and postsecondary transition rates.

As part of the California Linked Learning District Initiative, the School Redesign Network (SRN) at Stanford University continues to plan and facilitate this professional development series for district leadership teams.

Linked Learning Pathway Certification

CASN, NAF, NCAC, CDE, and representatives from schools and dis-tricts participated in the process to determine the Linked Learning Pathway Certification Criteria that will guide a pathway quality review process expected to result in the certification of approximately 25–30 pathways by the end of the 2010–11 academic year. Many Alliance members participated in a recent training for reviewers, including representatives from the Alliance for a Better Community, Antioch USD, CASN, CDE, ConnectEd, Elk Grove USD, LA Education Partnership, LA Small Schools Center, LAUSD, Long Beach USD, NAF, NACAC, and San Diego State University, Whittier Education Foundation, among others.

Professional Development Providers List

ConnectEd has identified a list of professional development providers who are well qualified to offer training to teams of pathway teachers and district leaders in districts implementing systems of pathways. All providers have completed an orientation and are committed to providing services consistent with the Linked Learning Approach

Expansion of Career Academies

CASN, NAF and CDE support the expansion and improvement of career academies. They each provide a range of support services, including technical assistance, coaching, professional development, and publication of helpful resources. In the past two years approximately 200 additional California Partnership Academies have been launched with state grants, bringing the total to 500 statewide. Sixty of these are “Green Academies”, begun through a separate bill and funding stream and five are supported by PG&E in partnership with CDE. CASN and CDE now have a joint website with free guides and other resources at http://casn.berkeley.edu
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Alliance for Linked Learning partners and others are working on the expansion of Academies of Engineering (AOE) in California high schools, utilizing the highly regarded pre-engineering curriculum developed by Project Lead the Way. They incorporate ConnectEd's integrated units of instruction to bring the theme of engineering to math, science, history, and English courses. Workforce development investments by Verizon and other corporate leaders fund this initiative.

Capital Regional Career Academy Initiative

Linking Education and Economic Development (LEED) Has initiated a 6-county effort to expand pathways through the region. The Capital Regional Career Academy Initiative will bring additional dollars, expertise and efficiencies through a region-wide system of support to local districts and high schools in the areas of curriculum, professional development, organizational coaching, business and civic engagement and technology development. A regional system of support will help ensure rigorous and relevant career academies at the region's high schools are effective sustainable and aligned with critical workforce needs and economic objectives, like energy, health care/bio sciences, and public services.

Linked Learning Los Angeles

The Linked Learning, L.A. area partners continue to promote pathway expansion in the Los Angeles Unified School District. The partnership is actively working to implement the LAUSD Multiple Pathway Resolution and build public awareness and support for implementing pathways at L.A. high schools.