Resource Library

This final evaluation report presents findings from the Oakland Health Pathways Project (OHPP), a joint initiative of Oakland Unified School District, Alameda Health System, and Alameda County Health Care Services Agency. The initiative is designed to improve educational and long-term employment outcomes for youth of color in Oakland (Alameda County), California, while expanding and diversifying the local health care workforce. It applies Linked Learning, an approach to college and career preparation that combines classroom learning with real-world work experiences.

Research, Career-Technical Education, College & Career Readiness, Equity, Lessons Learned, Outcomes, Partnerships, Postsecondary, Rigorous Academics, Student Supports, Workforce Development, Work-Based Learning, Oakland Health Pathways

This action planning template is interned to be used after completing the Pathway Self-Study Tool. This template will help you synthesize, prioritize, and agree on key next steps to improve your pathway.

Pathway Improvement, Career-Technical Education, Certification, Equity, Outcomes, Rigorous Academics, Student Supports, Workforce Development, Work-Based Learning, Getting Started, Steps to Silver, Going for Gold, Continuous Improvement

Use this document to determine key steps and considerations for designing a Linked Learning pathway. We have included links to the Linked Learning standards for each of the steps and relevant resources/examples related to that step. As you begin designing a Linked Learning pathway, please note that these are not necessarily sequential steps and will vary based on the context.

Pathway Improvement, Career-Technical Education, Certification, College & Career Readiness, Equity, General, Outcomes, Rigorous Academics, Student Supports, Work-Based Learning, Getting Started, Steps to Silver

Linked Learning pathways should provide students with multiple interdisciplinary learning opportunities throughout the pathway experience,
which also includes a continuum of work-based learning opportunities. Use this template to plan, design, and improve your pathway within your context.

Pathway Improvement, Career-Technical Education, Certification, College & Career Readiness, Equity, Rigorous Academics, Getting Started, Steps to Silver, Going for Gold, Continuous Improvement

The Pathway Improvement Toolkit is designed for pathway teams at all levels looking to improve the opportunities to engage youth, transform systems, and advance equity. The toolkit includes the following resources:

1. This User Guide, which offers detailed support for using the toolkit.
2. A Self-Study Tool, with step-by-step guidance and questions to help you capture a meaningful picture of your pathway’s successes and areas for improvement.
3. An Action Planning Template, designed to support your team’s analysis of the Self-Study Tool results and to plan for improvement.

Pathway Improvement, Career-Technical Education, Certification, Equity, Outcomes, Rigorous Academics, Student Supports, Work-Based Learning, Getting Started, Steps to Silver, Going for Gold, Continuous Improvement

Check in on your pathway development progress using our Linked Learning Pathway Self-Study Tool. Your answers will help you visualize what you've accomplished, note areas you're making strides, and create an action plan to continue strengthening your program. This tool is intended to help you understand how you’re doing in relation to several important Linked Learning concepts. It is not a formal evaluation of your program’s certification progress.

Curriculum & Instruction, Pathway Improvement, Career-Technical Education, Certification, College & Career Readiness, Equity, Outcomes, Rigorous Academics, Student Supports, Work-Based Learning, Getting Started, Steps to Silver, Going for Gold, Continuous Improvement

Full realization of the Linked Learning approach requires the support of a coherent set of school district human resource and student enrollment policies as well as infrastructure for work-based learning placements. Leaders in the nine demonstration districts identified the key district-specific implementation strategies below as crucial to establishing and sustaining Linked Learning.

Research, Lessons Learned

Establish or strengthen a pathway at your school that is guided by the standards that define Linked Learning at its most effective.

In this Getting Started with Linked Learning guide for pathways, you’ll find information and resources to build alignment and leadership, then develop and integrate a rigorous program of study, work-based learning, and student supports—for a powerful student experience that connects learning to purpose.

Pathway Improvement, Getting Started

Linked Learning pathways deliver high-quality academics in concert with career-technical education and work-based learning opportunities, access to early college credit, and integrated student supports. First piloted in nine California districts in 2009, Linked Learning is now embraced as the high school strategy for a growing number of districts across the state and beyond. Today Linked Learning is at work in more than 80 California school districts, with 600 educational pathways operating in 250 schools, and reaches more than 330,000 students statewide.

Communications, General

Perkins V includes several provisions that support the implementation of Linked Learning and other high-quality college and career pathways initiatives. Linked Learning is an approach to high school redesign that combines (1) rigorous academics, (2) high-quality CTE, (3) work-based learning, and (4) integrated student supports. Increasingly, Linked Learning also provides students with opportunities to earn postsecondary credit while they still are in high school. These components are woven together in industry-themed pathways that provide for a relevant, hands-on learning experience for high school students.

Research, Policy, Getting Started, Continuous Improvement