Linked Learning Alliance Congratulates Career Pathways Trust Round Two Grant Winners

SACRAMENTO, CA – The Linked Learning Alliance today congratulated the school districts, community colleges, county offices of education, ROPs, and their employer partners that have been awarded Career Pathways Trust grants in the second round of the competitive grant program.

“I am thrilled that the Career Pathways Trust is making it possible for more students to prepare for college and career through Linked Learning,” said Darrell Steinberg, Chairman of the Linked Learning Alliance Board of Directors. “All young people deserve a rigorous education that interests them and prepares them for college, career, and life. Linked Learning is an approach that makes this possible. I fought for and secured $500 million for the Career Pathways Trust to support schools, employers, and colleges that are working together to build pathways that integrate high-quality Career Technical Education (CTE) and college and university preparation for all the students they serve. The steep competition for these funds shows that there is broad and deep demand by schools, students, employers, and communities for this approach that prepares students for college and career.”

The Career Pathways Trust grant program was initiated in 2013 after then-Senate President pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg and Senate Republican Leader Bob Huff led a study mission for members of the California Senate to Long Beach, CA to learn about Linked Learning and how it prepares students for college and career

Established in the 2013-14 state budget, the first grant cycle for the Career Pathways Trust provided $250 million to regional consortiums and districts that partnered with employers and community colleges to establish and/or expand Linked Learning pathways. The 2014-15 state budget included a second $250 million, which was awarded today by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson.

“We applaud Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson and the California Department of Education (CDE) staff for managing the Career Pathways Trust competition with a keen focus on quality and results for students,” said Christopher Cabaldon, President of the Linked Learning Alliance. “Thanks to CDE’s diligence, many regions and districts now have resources to develop and expand pathways that provide high quality CTE that is integrated with college preparatory academics, work-based learning, and supports for students. Parents and communities want young people to be as prepared as possible for successful futures. As a result of the Career Pathways Trust, tens of thousands of students in Linked Learning pathways will be ready to succeed in college and career.”

Applications far outpaced the available funding in both rounds of the Career Pathways Trust. The competition underlying this grant program encouraged school districts to forge and nurture partnerships with employers and postsecondary institutions, and together hone solid plans for development and expansion of Linked Learning pathways.

In the 2015-16 state budget, Governor Brown has proposed a $900 million Career Technical Education Incentive Grant which, if approved by the Legislature, could be a similarly motivating force for implementation and expansion of high quality Linked Learning pathways that prepare students for college and career.

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