SBCSS News and Press Releases

County Consortium Among 20 Statewide To Land Linked Learning Grant

2013-01-08

SAN BERNARDINO - A consortium between the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools and five county districts was among 20 educational agencies named to take part in a pilot program to increase college readiness.

The pilot program, called the Linked Learning Alliance, was established through California Assembly Bill 790. County Schools' Alliance for Education has partnered with five county districts to implement the local grant: Chino Valley Unified, Colton Joint Unified, San Bernardino City Unified, Upland Unified and Yucaipa-Calimesa Joint Unified.

"We are pleased to be selected by the state Department of Education to take part in this pilot program, which will help in preparing our high school students for college and give them real-world skills and applications," County Superintendent Gary Thomas said.

Linked Learning prepares high school students for college and career - not just one or the other. It works by integrating rigorous academics with career-based learning in school and in real-world professional workplaces. Students also are provided academic support and counseling.

The amount of the grant for the county consortium is expected to be announced later this spring. The money will be used to develop a system of high-quality Linked Learning Pathways in the participating districts, as well to promote a regional system-wide effort.

Linked Learning has four core components: rigorous academics in college prep courses for English language arts, math, science, history and foreign languages; real-world technical skills that promote career readiness; work-based learning that includes mentoring and job shadowing; and one-to-one support that includes counseling and supplemental instruction.

Linked Learning research among all demographic profiles shows higher rates of graduation at traditional high schools and strong scores on statewide tests.

The Linked Learning Alliance includes members such as ConnectEd, The California Center for College and Career, and the University of California and the California State University systems.

For more information on the county consortium's Linked Learning grant, contact Debra Mustain of the County Schools' Alliance for Education at (909) 386-2636. For more information concerning Linked Learning, visit its website at www.connectedcalifornia.org.