Curriculum
The curriculum used in pathways is different from that in a traditional high school program. It designs lessons around real-world industry themes, engaging students through both challenging academic and demanding technical instruction. Academic curriculum addresses technical content, and technical curriculum intentionally incorporates academic standards. Teams including both academic and technical teachers collaborate to plan and implement these integrated project-based units throughout the year.
For example, students in a building and engineering pathway might learn about geometry and algebra while designing and building a structure. Those in an arts, media, and entertainment pathway might learn persuasive writing skills while developing business plans, or creative writing skills while drafting scripts. This kind of curriculum makes learning exciting because students can see the relevance of academic subjects to practical applications. It also helps students with diverse interests and learning styles master the rigorous content that California's academic standards require.
ConnectEd is developing curriculum, as well as collaborating with others, to provide high-quality integrated instruction for various industry themes. View sample course sequences for specific pathways and review course descriptions for units already developed:
Key Principles of ConnectEd curriculum: 
- Courses are designed according to applied learning theory. They connect to students’ lives, demonstrate the relevance of theoretical material through interesting, practical applications, and arouse students’ curiosity by presenting challenging problems.
- Classroom lessons address state and national academic standards that lead to high school graduation and success in postsecondary education.
- Each integrated curriculum unit addresses technical knowledge and skill standards that have been validated by industry professionals.
- Lessons present students with "essential questions" that require mastering challenging academic and technical content and applying teamwork, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills.
