Resource Library

All Linked Learning pathway teachers need to understand the specific knowledge and skills students will need to perform industry-sector jobs. However, not all pathway teachers have this knowledge, nor do they always know how particular discipline content is used within an industry.

In the brief, "The District Office as a Site for Work-Based Learning," Ann Jaquith and Jamie Johnston describe an approach to teachers’ professional learning that can develop and/or enrich the distinctive aspects of Linked Learning pathways. Drawing from ongoing work in California’s Montebello Unified School District (MUSD), the authors show how district and school leaders can help core teachers better understand career-relevant knowledge and skills, and encourage CTE teachers to collaborate with their colleagues.

Research, Career-Technical Education, Lessons Learned, Work-Based Learning

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

How can educators provide students with an experience where they can interact with industry professions—even amid the COVID-19 pandemic? In this webinar, ConnectED explores several strategies and resources for providing students work-based learning opportunities through online and other creative outlets. Practitioners in the field also share promising practices as well as ongoing challenges.

Webinars, College & Career Readiness, Work-Based Learning

Working to Learn and Learning to Work offers a state-by-state analysis of work-based learning policies. While states are in very different places in terms of implementing work-based learning programs the analysis surfaced several key themes that point to several key levers for strengthening work-based learning. Through strong, high-quality work-based learning programs, states can help ensure that their education programs prepare young people for success beyond high school, while simultaneously working to strengthen the talent pipelines of local businesses and address the economic and workforce needs of entire communities.

Research, Work-Based Learning

This webinar from ConnectED shows how students do career research using their Day at Work video library and lesson plans from the Exploring College, Career, and Community Options (ECCCO) curriculum. These free resources help students explore their interests as well as potential jobs and careers, and require a relatively small lift for educators and parents in terms of access to technology.

Webinars, College & Career Readiness, Work-Based Learning

Productive, rewarding internships have much in common with work experiences that attract, retain, and engage people in careers to the benefit of employers and entire industries. This framework builds on insights from hundreds of Linked Learning pathways that feature work-based learning in partnership with local employers.

Curriculum & Instruction, Work-Based Learning

Work-based learning—like job shadows, guest speaking engagements, internships, and more—play a powerful role in boosting student success in the classroom and as part of the future workforce. By design, work-based learning experiences take shape along a continuum—offering students the
opportunity to progress in their learning and skills, and employers a range of opportunities to engage at the level of commitment and interest right for them.

Communications, Curriculum & Instruction, Work-Based Learning

The idea of linking hands-on learning with academics is not a new one. John Dewey advocated education through experience at the turn of the last century. Unfortunately, relatively few schools offer this integrated approach, typically limiting instruction to textbooks and lectures.

Yet, evidence suggests that students who engage in experiences that connect school learning to the real world are more likely to stay in school. Furthermore, such experiences increase the chances that students will be both college and career ready. Work-based learning (WBL) programs are an integral part of Linked Learning and help foster the goal of providing students with the skills they need to succeed in college and career.

This brief describes the successful elements of WBL programs and offers guidance for implementation.

Research, Lessons Learned, Work-Based Learning

Webinars, Work-Based Learning

When rigorous academics are combined with demanding career-based learning in real-world professional workplaces, students are better prepared to succeed in college, career and life. Embracing the Linked Learning model, the Center for Advanced Research and Technology—a high school in Clovis, California—released data that demonstrates how combining rigorous academics and real-world learning opportunities can lead to a higher percentage of enrollments in both community college and four-year universities. In particular, the study finds that attendance in a Linked Learning pathway more than doubled the rate of college entrance for minority students.

Research, Outcomes, Rigorous Academics, Work-Based Learning