Institute

You’re demonstrating the power of Linked Learning: college and career preparation anchored in the belief that every student has unlimited potential. Join your peers to work on taking this approach to the next level in your community, and in communities across the U.S.

March 16–17 | Long Beach, CA

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about the institute

Next Up: Linked Learning Institute 2020 is a two-day event bringing together educators—including district, school, and pathway leaders—who share a commitment to providing students with the highest quality college and career preparation. This is an opportunity to reflect, self-assess, and plan systemic improvements in student experience and professional culture, grounded in Linked Learning principles, within your local context.

A meaningful, action-oriented event. As a participant in this convening, you can share your vision for the students you serve and how you’re bringing that vision to life. You will also be invited to contribute to a collective action plan for reaching an ambitious but attainable goal: one million students in high-quality Linked Learning pathways by 2030.

In working sessions led by experienced educators and capacity builders, you can dig in, reflect on specific challenges you face, discuss common problems of practice, and learn from others deeply engaged in similar work. Expect meaningful opportunities for networking, sharing, and learning in service to the change we want to see for students and communities.

Ideal for team participation. We know that quality college and career preparation is a broad team effort, and that’s why Institute activities are oriented toward team participation.

Consider attending as a team that may include your district and site administrators, pathway leads and teachers, school counselors, work-based learning coordinators, postsecondary and industry partners, and coaches. By attending together, you can strengthen alignment, culture, and cohesion as you work toward your shared goals.

Group discounts are available!

Choose your focus

Based on your needs and interests, your team will choose one of the three major strands of Linked Learning Gold Certification^™standards—integrated program of study, work-based learning, or integrated student supports—for your focus at the Institute, with the goals of:

Developing clarity around problems of practice to drive pathway improvement and systems change
Building an action plan that will advance your college and career readiness efforts
Contributing to a larger field movement and developing a national community of practice that provides ongoing support from partners and peers

agenda: Monday, March 16

7:30 | Registration Opens

8:30-Noon | Optional Site Visit to Gold Certified Pathway

Bringing Learning to Life in Long Beach

Join us as we visit pioneering pathways in Long Beach that are driving excellence and equity in preparing students for both college and career. See the integrated approach of Linked Learning in action as you observe pathway classes and engage in Q&A with district administrators, pathway teachers, and students. Learn from their journey to bring higher education, industry, and community partners together around the shared goal of student success.

Participants will deepen their understanding of the core elements of a high-quality college and career preparation experience, and gain insight into the integrated district systems and structures that enable these experiences. Following the site visit, practitioners and district leaders will have the opportunity to reflect together and apply learnings to their own efforts to integrate college and career preparation. Register early, as space is limited. A boxed lunch will be provided.

Noon | General Arrival

1:00-1:30 | Welcome and Opening

Exploring the Power of High-Quality College and Career Pathways as a Driver for Transforming Education

Begin to frame your action plan with a focus on achieving excellence and equity and hear from the leaders behind the nation’s first Gold certified pathways as they discuss systemic strategies for developing the core elements of comprehensive and effective college and career preparation.

1:30-1:45 | Transition/Break

1:45-3:15 | Session 1

Identifying Key Problems of Practice

What problems challenge effective practice? Collaborate with expert facilitators to identify and clarify these issues through root cause analysis.

3:15-3:30 | Transition/Break

3:30-5:00 | Session 2

Sharing and Solving Problems Together

What can we do about these problems? Work with facilitators as well as teams from other sites to engage in collective problem-solving, using consultancy and/or tuning protocols.

5:00-6:00 | Evening Reception and Celebration of New Silver and Gold Certified Pathways

6:00 | Dinner on Own

agenda: Tuesday, March 17

7:30-8:45 | Networking Breakfast

8:15-8:45 | Opening/Reflections on Day 1

8:45-9:00 | Transition/Break

9:00-10:30 | Session 3

Considering Challenges and Solutions in the Context of the Larger Linked Learning Ecosystem

Who else is working on the same issues? Engage in facilitated networking conversations with colleagues from across the nation who have similar roles and/or leadership responsibilities.

10:30-10:45 | Transition/Break

10:45-Noon | Session 4

Defining Success Through the Development of a Site Team Action Plan

What are next steps? Work with an expert to complete your team’s custom action plan.

Noon-1:00 | Networking Lunch

1:00-1:15 | Transition/Break

1:15-2:45 | Session 5

Sharing Action Plans and Developing Networks of Support

Share learnings and action plans, and discuss ideas for ongoing networking, collaboration, and support as you implement your plan. (This session will group teams with those from other sites who have similar/related focus areas and goals for continuous improvement.)

2:45-3:00 | Transition/Break

3:00-3:30 | Closing Plenary

Moving Forward Together

Reassemble with all Institute participants for a large-group discussion of next steps for the Linked Learning field and movement—including a national community of practice focused on providing all students with the highest quality college and career readiness experiences.