“When I’ve seen it in action, I know it works. It’s much more than a current slogan. When (students can) see the connection between what they’re learning in the textbooks and labs and how it relates to the real world — that really motivates them.”

– Tom Torlakson
California State Superintendent of Public Instruction

Working Groups

The Linked Learning Alliance has established working groups to further the efforts and outreach of the Alliance.

Building Awareness Working Group

Goal:

Build awareness and support for Linked Learning as a promising strategy to improve California high schools and student achievement as well as its workforce and economic development.

Objectives:

Clarify misconceptions and advise on key messages about Linked Learning to address particular stakeholder groups.
Build awareness and in-depth understanding of Linked Learning through conference presentations, trade publications, and media attention.
Expand the number of organizations in the Linked Learning Alliance for stronger representation and a broader range of constituency groups.

Minutes:

March 2011

May 2011

September 2011

Chair:

Jennifer Ortega, America’s Edge

Vice-Chairs:

Nader Twal, Long Beach Unified School District

Elizabeth Stroud, The California Center for College and Career

Policy Development Working Group

Goals:

Leverage the strength and diversity of the Linked Learning Alliance to guide policy that promotes the expansion of pathway options for California’s youth.

Identify key examples, opportunities, and strategies that will advance local, state, and federal policies to increase students’ access to quality pathways.

Objectives:

Develop and implement a work plan for 2011.
Develop policy priorities for 2011-2012, specifically reviewing AB 2648 report recommendations.
Develop concrete ways Alliance members can support the implementation of policy that has the potential to impact Linked Learning.

Minutes:

June 2011

August 2011

Chairs:

Patricia Rucker, California Teachers Association

David Rattray, Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce

Vice-Chairs:

Jeanice Warden, California Department of Education

Brad Stam, The California Center for College and Career

Liz Guillen, Public Advocates

Pathway and Curriculum Development Working Group

Goal:

Promote the expansion of Linked Learning by connecting teachers and industry partners to create and deliver high quality pathway curricula.

Objectives:

Deliver curricula and professional development to teachers pursuant to pathways-related classroom instruction by going beyond the traditional workshop model and creating more opportunities for teachers to experience how ConnectEd curricula and similar types of curricula are being utilized in the classroom.
Build industry partnerships to help develop project-based curricula and advisory boards to further curriculum development.
Develop strategies to use current resources for expanding Linked Learning.
Focus on growing industry sectors to broaden new pathway development.
Establish a toolkit with a focus on postsecondary linkages by using models of best practices and indicators of demonstrated effectiveness.
Promote greater use of high school and community college articulation agreements to increase rates of transition into postsecondary education.
Attempt to infuse Linked Learning into the WASC review process by creating a rubric to assess effectiveness.
Create more opportunities for experiential site visits to demonstrate best practices firsthand.
Continue to build and expand the Pathway and Curriculum Development Working Group membership by involving more industry and community college representatives.