High School Students Will Soon Have One-Stop Shop Career Pathways E-Portal

High School Students Will Soon Have One-Stop Shop Career Pathways e-Portal
New Technology will integrate existing platforms LaunchPath & ConnectEd Studios

SAN DIEGO, CA – A new career pathways e-Portal will soon provide a centralized way to connect San Diego students to transformative hands-on work experiences.The user-friendly system will allow students, schools and employers to provide and share work-based learning opportunities for high school and community college students online. The ePortal will be piloted by a small number of districts and community colleges this spring.

This innovative project is a partnership between ConnectEd, the Foundation for California Community Colleges and the Linked Learning Alliance. The ePortal will integrate ConnectEd Studios and LaunchPath, two existing platforms designed with Linked Learning in mind. Linked Learning is a proven approach that integrates rigorous academics that meet college-ready standards with sequenced, high-quality career-technical education, work-based learning, and supports to help students stay on track.

The ePortal is being funded by the region’s California Career Pathways Trust consortium via a contract awarded to ConnectEd Studios. The San Diego County Office of Education is the fiscal agent for the Career Pathways grant and awarded the contract to ConnectEd Studios. United Way of San Diego County is serving as facilitator to make sure all pertinent partners are included.

“This e-Portal holds tremendous promise as a resource San Diego pathway students preparing for success in college, career, and life,” said Christopher Cabaldon, president, Linked Learning Alliance. “This partnership and the work underway in San Diego are groundbreaking for education and the Linked Learning field.”

“United Way plans to use this tool to support education-business partnerships connecting schools to employers who are stepping up to give students real-world professional experiences while they’re in high school. It will also reinforce classroom learning and expose kids to exciting career options they may never have thought possible,” said Tia Anzellotti, director of partnerships, United Way of San Diego County.

About ConnectEd Studios
ConnectEd developed ConnectEd Studios to support and enhance the entire process of
high quality Linked Learning pathway development. ConnectEd Studios leverages existing technology to connect industry professionals with teachers and students, helping to address the logistical challenges that prevent many employer partners from providing work-based learning opportunities. It provides cutting-edge tools and resources for students, teachers, school and district administrators, industry professionals, coaches, and technical assistance providers. This safe and secure online platform allows teachers and educators to “power up” and engage today’s generation of “digital natives” through relevant, rigorous, and applied learning. Students benefit by having a central and persistent digital repository for their work that demonstrates they are prepared for success in college, career, and life. Visit ConnectEd studios here: www.demo.connectedstudios.org. Visit ConnectEd here:www.connectedcalifornia.org.

About LaunchPath
LaunchPath is an online tool designed to connect employers, educators, and students to strengthen our workforce and close the skills gap in California. Through internships and work-based learning experiences, prepared high school and community college students have the opportunity to make substantive contributions and gain valuable experience. LaunchPath saves time, reduces risk, simplifies partnerships, and accelerates talent acquisition. LaunchPath is a joint project of the Foundation for California Community Colleges and the Linked Learning Alliance, made possible through seed funding by JPMorgan Chase Global Philanthropy and sustained through a combination of public and private support. | www.launchpath.com

About Foundation for California Community Colleges
The Foundation for California Community Colleges is the official nonprofit foundation to the California Community Colleges Board of Governors and Chancellor’s Office. The Foundation’s mission is to benefit, support, and enhance the missions of the California Community Colleges system, the largest higher education system in the nation. Incorporated in 1998, the Foundation works with community colleges and partner organizations to manage donations, grants, programs, and services that drive excellence in education. Since inception, the Foundation has provided over $250 million in direct grants, support, and cost savings to California Community Colleges. The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit corporation and receives no direct state or public support. | www.foundationccc.org

About Linked Learning Alliance
The Linked Learning Alliance is a statewide coalition of education, industry, and community organizations dedicated to improving California’s high schools and preparing students for success in college, career, and life. Established in May 2008, the Linked Learning Alliance aims to build a collective voice and coordinate efforts to expand access to Linked Learning in California-an approach to high school that integrates rigorous academics with real-world learning opportunities in fields of engineering, health care, performing arts, law, and more. | www.linkedlearning.org