Resource Library

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

A new analysis from the Alliance for Excellent Education, the Linked Learning Alliance, and the Small School Districts’ Association shows that Black, Latino and American Indian/Alaska Native students living in rural communities in California are far more likely than their peers in cities to fall into the homework gap with no access to high-speed home internet or digital devices.

Certification, College & Career Readiness, COVID19, Equity, General, Lessons Learned, Outcomes, Partnerships, Continuous Improvement

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

This brief focuses on the implementation of health pathways in Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) continuation high schools. These non-traditional high school settings represent a unique set of challenges as well as opportunities to re-engage youth who are off-track to graduate and prepare them for college and career.

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