Research on Multiple Pathways

CFTL is beginning a two-year research project designed to understand and report on the necessary knowledge and skills required for pathway teachers.

UCLA-IDEA coordinated and published Multiple Perspectives on Multiple Pathways, a collection of fifteen essays written by distinguished California scholars. These papers review, synthesize, and interpret existing research on multiple pathways, providing various perspectives from the authors.

Legislation Supporting Multiple Pathways

The Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring several bills that support the expansion of multiple pathways. Bills include AB 2648 (Bass) to develop a five-year plan for pathway expansion, AB 2078 (Fuentes) to improve the quality of and access to work-based learning, and SB 1677 (Scott) to determine the preparation and professional development needs of teachers providing instruction in applied learning programs.

Development of Policy and Position Papers

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

Biomedical and Health Science Curriculum

In partnership with the National Consortium for Health Science and Technology Education, ConnectEd has developed 10 integrated units of instruction for math, science, history, and English teachers working in biomedical and health science pathways. This project meets one of teachers greatest needshigh-quality curricula that demonstrate how teachers can integrate rigorous academic material with challenging technical material focused on an industry theme.

Applied Mathematics Curriculum

Coalition members developed applied mathematics curricula to address one of the most intractable education problems we havehow 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 Preparation Programs

Beginning in fall 2008, four California State University campuses (Fresno, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco) will pilot a program to prepare teacher candidates with the unique skills they need to teach effectively in pathway programs. For example, candidates will learn to incorporate real world applications into academic courses, develop partnerships with local businesses, and connect classroom learning to students work-based learning opportunities.

Expansion of Career Academies

CASN and CDE promote and support the expansion and improvement of the California Partnership Academies and other career academy programs. Both CASN and CDE provide a range of support services, including technical assistance on grant-writing, coaching to help academies overcome programmatic challenges, and publication of helpful resources. In the next three years, funding is available to approve 150 additional California Partnership Academies, bringing the total to nearly 450 statewide.

Expansion of Engineering Academies

Coalition partners and others are working on the expansion of Academies of Engineering (AOE) in California high schools. The six new academies opening in fall 2008 will follow NAFs successful academy model, utilize the highly regarded pre-engineering curriculum developed by Project Lead the Way, and incorporate ConnectEds 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.

Los Angeles Partnership for Multiple Pathways

Coalition members created and coordinate the Los Angeles Partnership for Multiple Pathways to promote pathway expansion in the Los Angeles Unified School District. The partnership is actively working to build public awareness and support for multiple pathways, implement pathways at LA high schools, and pass district policy that aims to increase student access to multiple pathways districtwide.

Elk Grove Unified Expands Pathways

Elk Grove Unified School District developed a strategic plan to increase from year to year the percentage of students enrolled in pathways and academies. This plan, supported by the superintendent and school board, proposes an external review process to certify the quality of academies. It also recommends developing a comprehensive guidance and counseling program to support the expansion.