Click here to read the full letter.

Click here to read the full letter.

Click here to read the article.

Watch the video below:

View more videos at: http://nbcbayarea.com.

They state:

Studies have confirmed that kids participating in quality early learning programs are notably more likely to enter school with the underlying skills they need to succeed, both academically and later in the work force.

Click here to read the full op ed.

Click here to read the full letter.

Click here to read the full letter.

Click here to read the full letter.

Click here to read the full letter.

She was quoted as saying, “The world is so different. Kids today, it’s a different world and it is changing rapidly. It’s hard keeping up with them. That’s why something like this makes so much sense. You have a proven program”.

Click here to read the full article.

Contact: Meghan Moroney – (415) 450-1913 – mmoroney@americasedge.com

Porterville Business Leaders Highlight Pathways Program

As Effective Strategy To Reverse Skills Gap

Porterville, Calif. – Assembly Republican Leader Connie Conway (R-Tulare), local business leaders and education administrators toured Granite Hills High School to see first-hand how their innovative Pathways Program equips students with the skill set that California businesses seek in today’s economy.

“Ensuring our students have the skills necessary to compete in a global economy will serve as an incentive for businesses to invest in California jobs. The Central Valley suffers from some of the highest unemployment rates in the nation. The Pathways Program is helping to break that vicious cycle by preparing our students for the jobs of tomorrow,” said Assembly Republican Leader Connie Conway, of Tulare.

Pathways, also known as Linked Learning, is an education approach that integrates rigorous academics and career-technical training to produce well-rounded, highly skilled graduates who are ready for the future, whether they are headed to college or to the workforce. Combining coursework with relevant work-based learning opportunities helps students understand why they need to know what they are being taught in the classroom.  As more and more California jobs are expected to require education beyond high school, Linked Learning is a critical component to California’s economic recovery and long-term growth.

According to a recent report from America’s Edge, a national business leaders group, nearly half (47 percent) of California jobs are in “middle skills” occupations – those that require education beyond a high school diploma but less than a 4-year college degree. The report estimates that only 38 percent of California workers have the skills to fill the positions – creating a nine percentage point gap, even in a struggling economy.  The report also details how California may be unable to fill the fastest growing jobs that require science, technology, engineering and math – or STEM – skills.

“As an employer seeking a highly talented workforce, yes, I am concerned about our current education system,” said John Corkins, General Manager of Porterville-based Research for Hire and member of America’s Edge. “I think the Pathways Program makes a lot of sense for kids today because it connects what they’re learning in the classroom to the skills our businesses need today and into the future. It’s important that young people understand what it takes to get a good job in today’s economy.”

Some California high schools with Linked Learning are showing marked improvements in grade point averages, graduation rates, and enrollment in postsecondary education.  One school increased the percentage of students with a 2.0 GPA or higher from 66 percent to 92 percent; another school increased its graduation rates for Linked Learning students to 99 percent and its enrollment in postsecondary education to 95 percent.

Programs throughout the state that follow the Linked Learning approach have a variety of funding sources including state and federal dollars, as well as contributions from businesses and private foundations, and in-kind donations from community partners. The most substantial source of funding for Linked Learning and related approaches comes from the state in the form of California Partnership Academy (CPA) grants, which provide approximately $80,000 per pathway.

The state maintains approximately 500 CPAs. Yet, not only do just one in four public high schools in California use the Linked Learning approach, state funding for more than one-third of CPAs is scheduled to sunset in 2012.  As a result, more than 21,000 students would likely lose access to valuable programs that not only prepare them for college and career, but help ensure California businesses have a workforce with the skills needed to compete in a global economy.

Adam Peck, Executive Director of the Workforce Investment Board of Tulare County, praised the Linked Learning approach and noted the improvement such programs will make locally.

“Ensuring our workforce needs are met through our education system and training programs is a key component of our work,” he said.  “The Pathways Program and Linked Learning expose students to relevant curriculum and hands-on experiences so that our businesses can get the skilled workforce they need.  Tulare’s economy will benefit directly from these programs.”

#####