Alliance Blog

Welcome to What We're Reading! Each week, the Alliance will be highlighting news and articles we think will resonate with the Linked Learning field. This week, we recommend a moving piece from the New York Times on teaching in the pandemic, coverage of the FAFSA application dip, as well as a few pieces of good news.

This week, the Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) released a report on the fiscal outlook for schools and community colleges in 2020-21 and beyond. In the midst of the challenges related to COVID-19 that schools throughout California are facing, this report offers some good news.

The Linked Learning Alliance is excited to announce the inaugural Linked Learning Fellows Program. This program aims to build a network of committed leaders nationwide who will work collaboratively to ensure that every young person can determine their own future through proven education approaches that blend classroom and career-based learning.

The Linked Learning Alliance is excited to share that Yes, AND!, a panel on the power of plus for young people, has advanced to the panel picker stage of the South by Southwest EDU (SXSW EDU) conference.

The California Department of Education (CDE) recently shared updates regarding the Perkins V 2021-22 school year application process. In addition, the November election results are mostly in.

This week we address an inquiry from the field about the status of new career measures to be included in the College/Career Indicator and how these measures will be reflected on the California School Dashboard. In other news, this past Monday, the California State Senate held an informational hearing on the challenges around distance learning.

This week we are providing a brief status update on the K-12 Strong Workforce Program funding, including applicable changes as of the most recent application cycle, insights on a State Assembly hearing about internet access during distance learning, highlights from the Educator Workforce Investment Grant.

Day 2 of Linked Learning 101 pushed our thinking in important ways by focusing on the core conditions and systems that underpin highly impactful Linked Learning practice. Read our recap and find out what's up next at the Linked Learning Alliance.

The Linked Learning Alliance is pleased to announce that STEM Academy of Boyle Heights in Los Angeles Unified School District has achieved Linked Learning Gold certification. This is a national distinction that recognizes the highest quality integrated college and career pathways for their exemplary efforts to prepare students for the full range of postsecondary opportunities.

Governor Newsom vetoed Assembly Bill (AB) 1835, which specified supplemental and concentration funds be spent to increase or improve services for unduplicated pupils, and AB 331, which would have added the completion of a semester-long course in ethnic studies as a state high school graduation requirement. Additionally, the State Board of Education is accepting applications for the 2021-22 Student Board Member position up until 5:00 PM on October 8.