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Press Release: Long Beach Unified, Linked Learning Alliance, and Assembly Member Patrick O’Donnell Celebrate Linked Learning Gold Certification of Educational Pathways

October 18, 2019 | Linked Learning Alliance

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts:

Long Beach, CA – Leaders from the Long Beach Unified School District and the Linked Learning Alliance joined Assembly Member Patrick O’Donnell today in congratulating three educational pathways for achieving Linked Learning Gold certification. The pathways – the Academy of Law and Justice at Cabrillo High School, the Criminal Justice and Investigation Pathway at McBride High School, and the Engineering Pathway at McBride High School – are among the first in the nation to achieve this distinction.

Linked Learning pathways integrate rigorous academics with technical coursework that is relevant to the needs of local employers, offer students work-based learning experiences aligned with their classes, and provide support services to help students graduate ready for entry into college and career. Gold certification is based on evidence that a pathway successfully integrates these core components of the Linked Learning approach. It is the Linked Learning field’s highest standard for college and career preparation.

“We’re so proud of these three exemplary pathways for achieving Linked Learning Gold certification,” said Superintendent Christopher J. Steinhauser of the Long Beach Unified School District. “Our educators are committed to a high-quality pathway experience for every student. We equip students for both college and career by working closely with industry partners to integrate academic preparation with rigorous real-world training. All students deserve an engaging learning experience that affords them a full range of options after high school. We want all of our pathways to go for Gold in the coming years.”

Certification is based on a series of standards identified by leaders in the Linked Learning field as important for improving student outcomes and preparing all students for college and career. Districts seek certification from the Linked Learning Alliance to validate the quality of their college and career pathways. Pathways gain Silver certification when they establish the core components of Linked Learning and achieve Gold certification when they demonstrate high-quality implementation of these components and equitable opportunities for all students.

“Congratulations to the Academy of Law and Justice at Cabrillo High School, the Criminal Justice and Investigation Pathway at McBride High School, and the Engineering Pathway at McBride High School,” said Assembly Member Patrick O’Donnell. “High quality career technical education programs, such as those offered through the Linked Learning approach, engage students in their education and enable them to be both college and career ready. The exemplary pathways we are celebrating today are preparing students for success in college, career, and life.”

There are currently 12 Gold Linked Learning pathways in California and hundreds of Silver certified pathways striving for Gold.

Research by SRI International shows that Linked Learning benefits students in urban, rural, and suburban settings. When compared with their peers in traditional high school programs, students in quality Linked Learning pathways complete more college preparatory courses, are less likely to drop out of high school, and are more likely to graduate within four years. Students entering 9th grade with low achievement scores demonstrate greater academic success in certified Linked Learning pathways and are more likely to enroll in college immediately after high school. In addition, English language learners in certified Linked Learning pathways earn more credits compared with their peers in traditional high school programs. Among African American students and students with low prior achievement who enroll in college, those in Linked Learning are more likely to enroll in a four-year rather than a two-year institution.

The Linked Learning approach, piloted in nine California districts a decade ago, is now embraced as the high school strategy for a growing number of districts across the state. Today, Linked Learning is working in more than 100 California school districts, with 550 pathways operating in 225 high schools. The approach is also taking hold in 19 other states, including Michigan, Massachusetts, Texas, Oregon, Wisconsin, and North Carolina.

“Long Beach Unified is a true pioneer in ensuring all students are ready for both college and career,” said Anne B. Stanton, President of the Linked Learning Alliance. “The magic of Linked Learning is what we call the power of plus. When we combine college and career preparation, we put every student in position to successfully pursue a full range of postsecondary options. By the time a pathway gets to Gold, you can see how Linked Learning ignites students’ passions. Students work harder and dream bigger because their education is relevant to their communities and lifelong aspirations.”

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Linked Learning Alliance
The Linked Learning Alliance is a statewide coalition of education, industry, and community organizations dedicated to improving 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—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

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