Hello colleagues,
If you missed the launch of Strada’s Opportunity Index this spring, you should really go back and dig in. Essentially, the index puts together five priority action areas and compelling state-by-state data to push states to better connect education after high school and jobs. (Read: Build clear pathways.) Those five areas all have direct connections to our work here at the foundation:
- Clear outcomes: Can learners access relevant data and info on what their educational choices may mean for their work, life, and income?
- Quality coaching: Does everyone have help connecting with their skills and interests, setting a goal, and making a plan to get there?
- Affordability: Is education after high school affordable, relative to wages?
- Work-based learning: Are paid internships or other “earn-and-learn" opportunities on the table?
- Employer alignment: Are educators and employers working together to make sure grads and skills align with high-demand, high-value jobs?
These are all things we invest in and care about. But the magic isn’t necessarily in getting to “yes” for individual questions above—it's more in the integration of those changes and a reorientation around delivering value to all learners. (Value here meaning accessible, affordable education that leads to a good job.)
One state that leads the way in many regards: California.
- With one of the highest ROIs for college grads, the state is delivering great value to students who pursue education after high school.
- And leaders are working hard to make sure that value is extended to all with strong dual enrollment onramps, boosted by the $470 million recently released to districts.
This is part of Golden State Pathways, an ambitious plan that pushes districts to think creatively and work collaboratively to create pathways (series of courses and experiences) that prepare students for college and career. To tap into the funds, districts need to create pathways that include:
- Work-based learning (checking one of those Opportunity Index boxes!)
- Opportunities to earn college credit, wither via dual enrollment or AP/IB.
- The courses required to enroll in state colleges and universities.
- Connections to “high-wage, high-skill, high-growth areas.” including technology, health care, education, and climate-related fields.
That’s just the baseline. Where it gets exciting is in how districts partner with colleges, employers, and community leaders to create regionally relevant options. While Governor Newsom called this a “game-changer for thousands of students as the state invests in pathways to good-paying high-need careers—including those that don’t require college degrees”—I see this as a recognition of the reality that to get to those careers, students do need education beyond high school, be that college or a credential.
We’re eager to see what California counties do with their dollars to connect all students to great opportunities after high school.
Thank you,
Patrick Methvin
Director, Postsecondary Success and Interim Director, Pathways
What we're reading
Education Strategy Group flagged that five states passed legislation that supports the creation of accelerated pathways this year.
WorkShift investigated how, as dual enrollment grows, leaders are connecting it to work through apprenticeships and CTE courses.
Northern Public Radio in Illinois covered the trend that more and more high school students in the state are earning College & Career Pathway Endorsements that confirm they’ve gotten hands-on with work-based learning and are ready for college-level reading and math.
EdWeek built on Department of Education data to share the state of career and technical education, in charts.
The Clayton Christensen Institute and Career Launch wrote about integrating career exploration activities into core classes (rather than opt-in activities) so that all students benefit.