Alliance Blog

This week was filled with California State Board of Education (SBE) news. The SBE announced that applications are being accepted for the 2021-22 Student Board Member position. On Thursday, the SBE adopted new career measures to be included in the College/Career Indicator. Finally, the Governor’s office announced that Brooks Allen has been nominated Executive Director of the State Board of Education, and the SBE unanimously approved the Governor’s nomination.

It is with profound soundness that we share with the Linked Learning field news about the passing of Joan Bissell, one of our greatest leaders and champions, on September 11, 2020. Joan leaves a legacy that will continue to have a lasting impact on students’ lives - the future leaders of California and our nation.

The Center for American Progress (CAP) released “Preparing American Students for the Workforce of the Future,” providing a framework for a K-12 research agenda designed to surface policy solutions to best prepare students for college, career, and civic life.

This week we highlight two timely opportunities to learn about important data-focused initiatives that are underway in California. The California State University Board of Trustees announced their selection of Dr. Joseph Castro as the next Chancellor of the system. On Monday, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond launched the Education to End Hate initiative to confront hate, racism, and bigotry. Lastly, we share insights about a recently released brief from the Center for American Progress.

With most schools opening virtually, more than 1 million California young people without access to internet, devices at home struggle to access college- and career-focused virtual learning experiences.

On September 28, 2020, the Linked Learning Alliance hosted the first workshop of our Professional Learning Series: Linked Learning 101. This foundational workshop, spread across two half-day sessions, is designed for educators who are considering or adapting new approaches to integrated college and career preparation.

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.

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.

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.