Golden State Pathways Matter: California Students Share Why

The Golden State Pathways Program (GSPP) is a $500 million investment in college and career preparation, based on the Linked Learning approach to educational transformation and student success. More than a decade of practice and independent evaluation proves this approach works—and the GSPP builds on this evidence to ensure young people across our state graduate ready to thrive and meet the demands of California’s rapidly evolving economy.

Now, as new fiscal challenges have put the GSPP investment at risk, it is more critical than ever to understand the impact high-quality college and career pathways have on California’s young people—and to bring their needs and aspirations into the statewide conversation.

The Linked Learning Alliance regularly listens to the voices of young people who participate in Linked Learning college and career pathways throughout the state. This document presents preliminary survey findings for the most recent academic year. Among the many perspectives shared, Linked Learning students commented on:

• How their pathway experiences leave them feeling motivated and prepared for postsecondary success.
• Meaningful educational experiences that have fostered strong bonds to their learning and communities.
• The relationships and supports that have responded to their needs for deeper connections and agency coming out of the pandemic.
• The value they see in expanding college and career pathway experiences to more young people throughout the state.

Linked Learning students defy the challenges of COVID-19, emerging motivated and prepared for their futures. With Golden State Pathways, we have an unprecedented opportunity to deepen our investments in these young people and expand proven approaches to college and career readiness to tens of thousands more.

You can read more detailed findings from the survey here.