Linked Learning Alliance Applauds President Obama’s Challenge to Redesign High School

SACRAMENTO, CA – The Linked Learning Alliance applauds President Barack Obama’s State of the Union challenge to “redesign America’s high schools so they better equip graduates for the demands of a high-tech economy.” Efforts to reform the high school experience are already well underway in California through Linked Learning, an approach that is helping to create students who are ready to succeed in college and career, leading to an advanced 21st-Century workforce.

“Linked Learning prepares students for college, careers, and life,” said Christopher Cabaldon, Executive Director of the Linked Learning Alliance. “The Linked Learning approach creates opportunity for California’s students to discover new aspirations, and graduate with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed. Recognition of the effectiveness of this approach is growing.Sixty three districts and county offices of education are committed to making Linked Learning a district-wide improvement strategy as part of a new Linked Learning Pilot Program. This will give many more students in many more regions around the state access to Linked Learning. When the pilot is fully implemented, Linked Learning will be available to more than one third of the state’s high school students.”

“The Linked Learning community is heartened by the President’s call to redesign high schools. We hope his call for action will inspire more employers, educators, and community leaders to work together to make Linked Learning opportunities available for students, and help build momentum for schools and districts already implementing this high school reform approach.”

Linked Learning prepares students for college and career – not just one or the other – and transforms high school education by igniting students’ passions. It works by integrating rigorous academics with career-based learning in school and in real-world professional workplaces. Students are also provided academic support and counseling. Because Linked Learning prepares students for success in the real world, it is helping to close the middle-skills gap and develop an advanced 21st-Century workforce for California.

Research shows that in schools that have already adopted the Linked Learning approach, attendance rates are increasing, student test scores are increasing, and dropout rates are decreasing. Compared to students in traditional high schools, Linked Learning students are graduating at higher rates, enrolling in colleges and universities in larger numbers, and even earning more in the four-year period after high school. (You can click here for reports on the effectiveness of Linked Learning.)