Resource Library

This year the Golden State Pathways Program releases $470 million to hundreds of local school communities preparing to deliver powerful, career-integrated, college-preparatory experiences informed by the Linked Learning approach. It’s a critical milestone on the journey toward California’s goals for a more equitable, prosperous future.

To make good on this promise, we need to ensure that these strides are illuminated by the voices of young people every step of the way. Centering their experiences and perspectives is imperative to ensuring their learning connects—for the relevance, relationships, and results we all want to see.

The Linked Learning Alliance has fielded this survey of young people who participate in Linked Learning college and career pathways throughout the state so that their needs and aspirations are part of this ongoing statewide conversation. This document presents findings from the most recent academic year.

Communications, Research, College & Career Readiness

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 fields a survey of young people who participate in Linked Learning college and career pathways throughout the state. This document presents preliminary findings for the 2023 academic year.

Communications, Research, College & Career Readiness

This policy guide, created in partnership with the College in High School Alliance, Everyone Graduates Center, Linked Learning Alliance, and National College Attainment Network, encourages state and district leaders to use federal coronavirus relief funds to improve college access and success, especially for students who are historically underserved and under-represented in higher education.

Research, College & Career Readiness, COVID19, Policy

New funds for educational recovery from the pandemic present a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get student learning on track and our educational systems in shape to better serve all students. To be effective, steps forward must start this summer.

Research, College & Career Readiness, COVID19, Equity, Partnerships, Rigorous Academics, Work-Based Learning, A Summer Like No Other

With an influx of highly flexible federal and state COVID relief resources, school districts and youth-serving organizations can increase the number and types of paid learning experiences they offer to students.

Research, College & Career Readiness, COVID19, Partnerships, Workforce Development, Work-Based Learning, A Summer Like No Other

Picture this: High school students engaged in career possibilities they might never have imagined on their own. Public health providers preparing a skilled workforce that reflects and understands the populations they serve. That is the inspiring vision behind Oakland Unified School District’s partnership with major health care systems in California’s East Bay. These partners connect local youth to new opportunities through seven health-themed pathways featuring the Linked Learning approach to college and career preparation. The Atlantic Philanthropies funded the Oakland Health Pathways Project and commissioned SRI Education to conduct a multi-year evaluation. The Linked Learning Alliance is sharing SRI’s findings to inform educators, employers, community organizations, funders, and policymakers working to help all young people discover their purpose and prepare for postsecondary success.

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

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 brief seeks to uncover the extent to which health pathway students experience integration of real-world applications and content into the curriculum, have opportunities to participate in quality work-based learning experiences, and perceive positive implications for students’ college and career readiness.

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

SRI evaluators compared health pathway students’ outcomes with those of students who had similar demographic characteristics and prior achievement but were in two other programs of study: traditional high school programs, and other career-themed pathways. We found that health pathway students significantly outperformed traditional high school students on key indicators of success in high school and the transition to postsecondary education. We found no differences in the outcomes of students who participated in health pathways compared to those in other career-themed pathways.

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

This brief contains SRI findings drawn from the experience of Oakland Health Pathways Project partners. Presented as lessons learned, this content can inform people and organizations leading education-industry partnerships. It is especially relevant to those involved in high school health care partnerships that incorporate work-based learning.

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