communications toolkit for engaging internal...

C O M M U N I C A T I O N S

T O O L K I T F O R

Engaging Internal

Audiences

Visit

LinkedLearning.org

Table of Contents

Educators

Talking Points ................................................................................................................................................................. 3 Best Practices Tip Sheet for Communicating with Educators ........................................................................................ 5 Frequently Asked Questions .......................................................................................................................................... 7 Educator and Administrator Fact Sheet ...................................................................................................................... 11 Template Introductory Email/Letter to Educators ...................................................................................................... 13 Phone Outreach to Educators Tips and Script ............................................................................................................. 14 Educator Meeting Script and Tips ................................................................................................................................ 16 Template PowerPoint Slides ........................................................................................................................................ 19 Linked Learning, the Common Core State Standards, and New Assessments ............................................................ 41 Template Blog Post for Educators ............................................................................................................................... 42

Students

Talking Points ............................................................................................................................................................... 44 Best Practices Tip Sheet for Communicating with Students ........................................................................................ 46 Frequently Asked Questions ........................................................................................................................................ 48 Student and Parent Fact Sheet .................................................................................................................................... 51 Template School Newspaper Articles .......................................................................................................................... 53

Parents

Talking Points ............................................................................................................................................................... 56 Best Practices Tip Sheet for Communicating with Parents .......................................................................................... 58 Frequently Asked Questions ........................................................................................................................................ 60 Student and Parent Fact Sheet .................................................................................................................................... 63 Template PowerPoint Slides ........................................................................................................................................ 65 Linked Learning, the Common Core State Standards, and New Assessments ............................................................ 66 Template Parent Newsletter Article ............................................................................................................................ 67

v2.0, March 2013

FOR INTERNAL AUDIENCES | p 1

Introduction

Thank you for making the commitment to get involved with the Linked Learning Alliance. This toolkit contains

resources, tools, templates, and tips to help you conduct outreach to internal audiences: educators, students and

parents. Communicating with these three audiences will be essential to establishing new Linked Learning pathways

and expanding existing ones throughout the state.

This toolkit is organized by audience. Within each section, you’ll find materials that are specifically tailored to each

audience and that will help guide your outreach and communications at every step of the way. Refer to this toolkit

often and make use of the messaging documents, such as the talking points, fact sheets, and frequently asked

questions. Before conducting any outreach, you should practice your approach and make sure you feel

comfortable before you start any conversation or communication.

These materials were developed with the support and help of The James Irvine Foundation, the Linked Learning

Alliance, and ConnectEd: The California Center for College and Career, as well as with advice from Stanford Center

for Opportunity Policy in Education (SCOPE). This document also incorporates the feedback of California educators

in the Linked Learning District Initiative who attended communications trainings in Oakland, Los Angeles, and San

Francisco in March 2013.

We encourage any interested organizations and individuals to take advantage of this toolkit to contribute to this

statewide effort to transform education. For more resources and assistance, please contact (530) 563-6863 or

[email protected].

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District leaders, school board members,

postsecondary leaders, and teachers

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Talking Points Basic Definition:

By integrating rigorous academics with career-based learning and real world workplace experience, Linked Learning is transforming education for California’s students, helping them excel in college, career and life.

Primary (for All Audiences):

Linked Learning is transforming education in California by integrating rigorous academics with career-based learning and real-world workplace experiences.

When students love what they’re learning, they work harder, dream bigger, and learn more.

Linked Learning is turning secondary education into a personally relevant, engaging experience for any student, exposing them to previously unimagined college and career opportunities.

Linked Learning ignites students’ passions by creating meaningful learning experiences in career-oriented pathways in fields such as engineering, health care, performing arts, law, and more.

Linked Learning is helping to create an engaged and productive future workforce for California.

Linked Learning students graduate ready to succeed in college, career, and life.

Research shows that compared to traditional high schools the Linked Learning approach results in greater rates of persistence and higher graduation rates for all students.

Secondary (for All Audiences):

Students in the Linked Learning approach understand how their high school education leads to their next academic or career steps. Students engage in professional learning via job shadowing, apprenticeships, internships, and professional skill-building before they leave high school. They begin to understand all the possible choices available to them.

Employers are critical to making Linked Learning work. Employers provide essential work-based learning opportunities for students. Students interact with professionals in California’s top industries in real-world settings and graduate with a clear understanding of what they need to do to be successful in any postsecondary education program or career.

Linked Learning creates more opportunity for students to discover new aspirations and graduate with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in college and career. Linked Learning improves equity for all California students. It inspires students who may never have imagined going to college to excel in high school, graduate, and succeed in college and life.

Linked Learning prepares high school students for a full range of post-graduation opportunities. It combines academics and professional skills—which are both necessary for a complete education and a successful future.

Improving educational achievement for all students will require the help of entire communities—including business leaders, parents, community organizations, and higher education—working together with educators as stakeholders in the public education of their communities.

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Secondary (for Educators):

Administrators and School Board Members

· Ask any Linked Learning district superintendent, principal, or teacher and they will tell you about students who

arrived in high school expecting not to attend college, but who quickly raised their aspirations as well as their

achievement.

· Teachers working in Linked Learning pathways are energized, engaged, and enthusiastic. They, collaborate

with their peers, interact with the larger community, and are invested in their students’ success.

· The Linked Learning approach is an affordable and sustainable long-term investment in student success, even

in the current fiscal environment. Studies have found that upfront investment in Linked Learning leads to

benefits for the economy and taxpayers that far exceed the cost.

· While Linked Learning can benefit from additional resources, the districts already practicing Linked Learning

prove that successful implementation can be achieved by reallocating existing resources.

· Linked Learning is flexible, adaptable, and can be tailored to the unique needs of most districts, schools and

communities.

· Because partnerships with employers and industry are essential for Linked Learning pathways, district leaders

play a key role in building support and maintaining successful relationships with business leaders.

Teachers

· Teachers working in Linked Learning pathways are energized, engaged and enthusiastic. They collaborate with

their peers, interact with the larger community, are invested in their students’ success, and are fully supported

by their principals and districts.

· Teachers already work hard to prepare students for better opportunities after high school. Linked Learning

enhances those efforts and makes teaching more collaborative and enjoyable. It also offers students a more

cohesive, engaging experience that inspires them to work harder.

· Linked Learning is flexible and adaptable and can be tailored to the unique features of most schools and

classrooms.

· Many resources and tools are available1 from the Linked Learning Alliance, ConnectEd, the National Academy

Foundation, and other organizations that can help teachers incorporate student-centered, project-based

Linked Learning instruction aligned with career pathways.

1 Whenever this talking point is used, direct the audience to the available resources online, or include hyperlinks.

v2.0, March 2013


Communicate with educators to

inspire them to implement and

advocate for Linked Learning.

Best Practices Tip Sheet for Communicating with Educators

Why Speak to Educators?

Communicating with district leaders, school boards, postsecondary

leaders, and teachers through direct outreach efforts is the best

way to educate them about Linked Learning. Teachers are the most

important advocates for Linked Learning. Getting their buy-in is the

first step to expanding Linked Learning in schools and building a

Linked Learning network that includes business, industry, and

community leaders.

Each group of educators has a distinct role in implementing and expanding Linked Learning:

· District administrators are responsible for leading, overseeing, and managing Linked Learning pathways in

several schools, while ensuring that they are effective.

· School board members play a critical role in setting local policy to provide a favorable environment for

expanding Linked Learning and in allocating resources to pathways.

· Postsecondary leaders are important partners in aligning pathways to college-level expectations.

· Teachers have the greatest responsibility because they work directly with students and must successfully

implement Linked Learning by collaborating with business and industry leaders and with other teachers across

subject areas every day to ensure the educational goals of the Linked Learning pathways are met.

Communicating with each of these educator audiences means empowering them with knowledge and tools to help

them fulfill each of these roles.

Additionally, educators are important messengers to policymakers and the general public. As education

professionals and experts, their voice can attest to the effect Linked Learning has on student achievement, adding

credibility and immediacy to the public conversation.

General Communications Tips

When speaking with any audience, keep these communications tips in mind:

· Remember your key messages: Know your audience, venue, and format, as well as questions you might be

asked and recent news. Be especially clear about the main message you want to get across and what you want

to persuade your audience to do.

· Prepare your reasons and examples: Having three key points supported by examples will help you

communicate your message effectively. While data and statistics are important for providing objective

measures of success, it is also important to provide real-world stories that allow you to connect with your

audience and give them a clear idea of why Linked Learning works.

· Be brief: People are busy with many competing priorities. Keep your points and presentations short and

concise.

· Be persuasive: Structuring your arguments carefully will help get your point across clearly and more

convincingly.

o Begin with a brief background of the situation and context. Describe the issue and why your audience

should care. For example: Right now, our system is failing California’s students and too many fail to

graduate on time. Linked Learning is a promising practice that is helping address this problem by

combining rigorous academics with career-based learning and real-world workplace experiences.

o Make your recommendation. Adjust your tone depending on whether you are making a request or

strongly suggesting an action. For example: You should become a supporter of Linked Learning to help

establish new pathways and expand existing ones in your community.

o Clearly lay out the reasons for your request or recommendation. List your strongest argument first and

your second strongest argument last. For example: I have seen more students at my school complete high

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school and continue on prepared for college, career, and life. I have seen students become more engaged

with their school work as it has become more relevant to their interests and career goals. Lastly, Linked

Learning is financially sustainable and the benefits far outweigh the costs.

o Prescribe the specific action steps that your audience can take to do something about the issue. For

example: Start by learning more about Linked Learning at www.LinkedLearning.org or connect with

educators already implementing the Linked Learning approach through ConnectEd Studios

(www.connectedstudios.org) to discuss their experiences with Linked Learning. You can also join the Linked

Learning Alliance (www.LinkedLearning.org/linked-learning-alliance/become-a-member).

· Speak simply: Speak so anyone can understand you. Avoid education jargon. If you must use jargon, explain it.

For example: Don’t assume everyone knows what the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) are. Explain that

they are consistent learning goals in English language arts and mathematics that were adopted by California,

as well as 44 other states, the District of Columbia, and the Department of Defense Schools.

Things to Consider when Speaking with Educators

Linked Learning is a promising practice for educating California’s students. However, communicating with

educators requires special considerations.

Educators and administrators across the country and in California have seen myriad attempts to improve public

education. This rotation of innovations over the years has yielded mixed results and brought on “reform fatigue” in

many quarters. As a result, educators at all levels may be skeptical of Linked Learning at first because it may be

seen as another “flavor of the month” reform. Communicating with them requires particular emphasis on the

proof that Linked Learning is a high-quality, long-term solution for educating California’s students that has

promising results and is able to be adapted to meet the unique needs of California’s highly diverse public school

districts.

We are asking a lot of educators today, including teaching to higher standards with more accountability and, often,

fewer resources. They are rightly weary of being asked to do more and more. Communicating with educators,

especially teachers, requires an emphasis that Linked Learning allows them to work more collaboratively and

creatively toward student improving engagement and achievement.

The current fiscal situation facing many schools and districts means that cost will be a constant consideration for

educators. The start-up costs of Linked Learning may be cited as a concern. To overcome resistance, Linked

Learning should be framed as a smart investment that provides value for students, teachers, districts, and the

state over the long term.

Educators are going to be curious about the specific resources and tools available to help them to learn more

about Linked Learning and implement high-quality pathways in their schools. Offering educators tools and

resources that will help them succeed can help ensure impactful communication.

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Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions about Linked Learning

Q: What is Linked Learning?

A: Linked Learning is an approach to education that transforms the traditional school experience by bringing

together strong academics, career-based classroom learning, and real-world workplace experience to help

students gain an advantage in high school, postsecondary education, and career. Students can choose among

industry-themed pathways in fields such as engineering, arts and media, and biomedicine and health.

Pathways connect learning with student interests and career aspirations, making their high school education

personally relevant and providing them with experimental learning experiences beyond the classroom where they

can engage with working adults on important problems. This type of education leads to higher graduation rates,

increased postsecondary enrollment, higher earning potential, and greater civic engagement. All pathways, by

design, offer students a college preparatory education, leaving the door open for students to pursue any career

goal or interest after high school.

Q: How does Linked Learning work and what are its components?

A: Linked Learning pathways currently offer high school students from grades 9 through 12 a rigorous academic

curriculum integrated with a career focus and work-based learning opportunities in and out of the classroom. This

approach prepares students for the full range of postsecondary options. Linked Learning can be implemented

using different models and in various settings. Linked Learning also can be applied in middle school or even earlier,

as well as in college-level learning.

All Linked Learning pathways include:

· A rigorous academic component that includes English, mathematics, science, history, and other pertinent

courses.

· A technical component of three or more courses that help students gain the knowledge and skills that can give

them a head start on a successful career.

· Students engage in job shadowing, apprenticeships, and internships, before they leave high school, helping

them to understand all the possible choices available to them.

· Personalized support services including resume and interview counseling and supplemental instruction in

reading, writing, and mathematics that help students master critical academic and career-based components

of their education.

Q: Why Linked Learning?

A: Linked Learning addresses some of the fundamental challenges facing California’s high schools. Many traditional

academic programs do not feel relevant to students’ lives and aspirations. At the same time, traditional career and

technical education (CTE) often lacks the academic rigor required for access to and success in college. Linked

Learning provides students of all levels and abilities with the best possible chance for success to excel in college

and career.

Q: Are Linked Learning pathways proven to be effective?

A: The Linked Learning approach already has transformed the lives of thousands of students in California. Districts

and schools currently offering a Linked Learning approach consistently demonstrate better student outcomes than

traditional high schools. Research shows that compared to traditional high schools the Linked Learning approach

results in greater rates of persistence and higher graduation rates for all students.

Studies show that the approach can raise academic achievement, increase earning power, and improve college-

going rates. Though Linked Learning is a relatively new model for improving education, research supports the case

for making the Linked Learning approach a focus of high school reform.

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Q: How is Linked Learning different from other CTE (Career Technical Education) and career academies or charter schools? A: Linked Learning is unique in its approach that encompasses effective features of CTE and the flexibility of charter schools, paired with rigorous and relevant college-prep academics, to prepare students for college, career, and life. Linked Learning allows students to apply classroom knowledge in real-world situations. Through its integration of college- and career-readiness practices, Linked Learning ensures that every student will be equipped with the necessary experience and training to succeed in school and become a skilled member of the California workforce. Q: Who is an advocate of Linked Learning? A: A broad and diverse community of educators, employers, policymakers, and community-based organizations champion Linked Learning, aiming to expand and improve programs and offer them to more students across the state. The Linked Learning Alliance, a statewide coalition comprised of more than 250 educators, industry professionals, and community leaders, is a hub of information and works to build awareness about Linked Learning, advocate for policies that support high quality implementation, and expand Linked Learning opportunities for students. An important member of the Linked Learning Alliance, ConnectEd: The California Center for College and Career, helps districts build systems of high-quality Linked Learning pathways by developing tools, supporting demonstrations, providing technical assistance and professional development, leading collaboration efforts, and promoting policies that expand Linked Learning overall. The National Academy Foundation, the College & Career Academy Support Network, and the Los Angeles Small Schools Center are other key providers of technical assistance to Linked Learning pathways and districts. Linked Learning also is supported by students, parents, and educators around the state who are passionate about improving education for all high school students and helping them to be successful in school and career. Educator-specific Questions Q: How can I develop a curriculum that aligns with Linked Learning principles? A: Numerous tools and resources exist to help build, improve, and sustain high-quality Linked Learning pathways including the Linked Learning Alliance, ConnectEd, the National Academy Foundation (www.naf.org) and the College & Career Academy Support Network (http://casn.berkeley.edu), among other organizations. A team of experts has established criteria to help schools plan and implement new high-quality pathways aligned with the principles of Linked Learning while working toward Linked Learning certification. Support tools for curriculum development, teacher preparation, and professional development can be found on the Linked Learning Alliance website (www.LinkedLearning.org/get-involved/educators). The College & Career Academy Support Network also has a searchable database of curriculum that aligns with Linked Learning principles, integrating academic and career themes (http://casn.berkeley.edu/curriculum.php). You can also contact the Alliance by emailing [email protected] or calling (916) 441-29. Q: My school/district is implementing and/or talking about Linked Learning. What can I do to help? A: There are many ways to support the development of Linked Learning in your school or district. Below is a list of how to get involved:

Set up a meeting with your principal, fellow teachers, or other appropriate administrators to discuss why you think your school should adopt the Linked Learning approach.

Start by learning more about Linked Learning at www.LinkedLearning.org or connect with educators already implementing the Linked Learning approach through ConnectEd Studios (www.connectedstudios.org) to discuss their experiences with Linked Learning.

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Reach out to a business or community professional to talk about Linked Learning in your schools and possible ways for them to get involved such as serving on an advisory board or providing students with work-based learning opportunities.

Join the Linked Learning Alliance (www.LinkedLearning.org/linked-learning-alliance/become-a-member). Q: Does it take extra training to teach Linked Learning? A: Yes although no formal credential is necessary. Educators who are interested in implementing Linked Learning in their classroom can receive guidance and support from Linked Learning trainings. These teacher preparation trainings are available at the following California universities:

Claremont Graduate University (www.cgu.edu)

CSU East Bay (www.csueastbay.edu)

CSU Fresno (www.fresnostate.edu)

CSU Long Beach (www.csulb.edu)

CSU Sacramento (www.csus.edu)

CSU San Bernardino (www.csusb.edu)

CSU San Diego (www.sdsu.edu)

UCLA (www.ucla.edu) To sign up for a training session near you, please visit the ConnectEd website (www.connectedcalifornia.org/schools_districts/teacher_preparation) and contact Arlene LaPlante from ConnectEd at [email protected] for further information. Most teachers in Linked Learning pathways love the approach and think it is well worth the extra time and effort. Q. Does Linked Learning align with the new Common Core State Standards? A. Yes. The new standards in math and English language arts in California require students to think critically and analytically and apply knowledge to solve real-world problems. These skills are at the core of Linked Learning. It is important to note that schools throughout the state, including Linked Learning schools, are in various stages of transitioning to the new standards. However, schools that already implement a Linked Learning approach will face significantly fewer hurdles during the transition compared to traditional schools. The Common Core State Standards benchmark student achievement goals in California and other states. Linked Learning is a path to meet these new standards and improve education in our state. Q: How much does implementing Linked Learning cost? A: Linked Learning does entail start-up costs and will benefit from higher ongoing expenditures, however successfully implementing Linked Learning is first and foremost about using existing resources differently. Resources already earmarked for teacher prep time, professional development, counseling, supplemental instruction, and after-school activities need to be squarely focused on advancing a district-wide system of Linked Learning. Studies have found that upfront investment in Linked Learning results in benefits to the district, students, and to taxpayers that far exceed the cost. By creating a workforce that is better equipped to succeed in a postsecondary education program and handle the jobs of the future, Linked Learning benefits the state’s businesses, tax base, and economy. Q: What support is available for Linked Learning? A: Educators will find an array of support tools through the Linked Learning Alliance’s website, www.LinkedLearning.org. The Linked Learning Alliance disseminates resources for schools and districts to implement Linked Learning and helps educators get what they need. ConnectEd, in collaboration with a growing cadre of partners, develops tools and delivers services to help districts implement high quality Linked Learning pathways and establish the district and community supports to expand and sustain Linked Learning. ConnectEd’s website at www.ConnectEdCalifornia.org also offers a rich array of information and technical support for schools

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implementing Linked Learning. Additionally, the College & Career Academy Support Network offers professional development, coaching, resource materials, and technical assistance for educators, schools, and districts that can be found on their website at http://casn.berkeley.edu. Resources http://www.connectedcalifornia.org/app/webroot/uploads/files/certification/Certification%20Rubric.pdf http://www.linkedlearning.org/about/evidence-of-effectiveness http://www.linkedlearning.org/about/faqs http://www.stanford.edu/group/pace/PUBLICATIONS/TECHNICALREPORTS/2010_PR_PLANK_STERN.pdf http://www.linkedlearning.org/get-involved/resources

LinkedLearning.org

Educator and Administrator Fact Sheet

Linked Learning

• �Offers�students�a�personally�relevant,�wholly�engaging,�rigorous�academic�and�career-based� curriculum�with�real-world�professions.�

• Ensures�students�graduate�from�high�school�well�prepared�to�enter�a�two-�or�four-year� college�or�university,�an�apprenticeship,�or�formal�job�training.

• �Exposes�students�in�high�school�to�previously�unimagined�college�and�career�opportunities.

Four�Core�Components�of�Linked�Learning�

• Rigorous academics. An�academic�component�that�includes�college�preparatory�English,� mathematics,�science,�history,�and�sometimes�foreign�language�courses.

•��Real-world�technical�skills.�A�challenging�career-based�component�of�three�or�more�courses� that�help�students�gain�the�knowledge�and�skills�that�can�give�them�a�head�start�on�a� successful�career.

•��Work-based�learning.�A�series�of�work-based�learning�opportunities�that�begin�with� mentoring�and�job�shadowing�and�evolve�into�intensive�internships,�school-based� enterprises,�or�virtual�apprenticeships.

•��Personalized�support.�Support�services�including�counseling�and�supplemental�instruction� in�reading,�writing,�and�mathematics�that�help�students�master�the�academic�and�technical� learning.�

Proven�Success

• Research�shows�that�Linked�Learning�students�of�all�demographic�profiles�have�higher�persistence� and�graduation�rates�than�their�peers�at�traditional�high�schools.

An�Affordable,�Sustainable�Approach

• Despite�a�15.3�percent�drop�in�state�funding�for�K-12�education�from�2007-2008�to�2009-2010,� California�districts�are�sustaining�their�commitment�to�Linked�Learning�because�of�the� positive�results�they�are�seeing.�i

• By�reallocating�resources�and�securing�funds�through�both�private�and�philanthropic� partnerships,�Linked�Learning�pathways�are�able�to�operate�in�this�challenging�fiscal�climate.�

• Studies�have�found�that�upfront�investment�in�Linked�Learning�results�in�benefits�to�the� district�and�to�taxpayers�that�far�exceed�the�cost.�Once�the�infrastructure�for�Linked�Learning� is�established,�costs�significantly�decrease�due�to�sharing�of�resources�and�economies�of�scale.�ii

For Educators + Administrators

Students�Better�Prepared�for�College�and�Career

• As�of�2010,�59�percent�of�jobs�require�a�postsecondary�credential.�By�2018,�this�figure�will�grow� to�63�percent�of�all�jobs,�a�trend�that�is�likely�to�continue�to�grow.�iii

• In�2012,�the�state’s�graduation�rate�was�78.5�percent�statewide.�The�graduation�rate� for�Latino�students�was�73.2�percent�and�for�African�American�students�65.7�percent.�iv

• Barely�one-third�of�all�students�who�graduate�high�school�(36�percent)�complete�all�the� A-G�courses�necessary�for�admission�to�a�University�of�California�(UC)�or�California�State� University�(CSU)�school.�v

• Linked�Learning�prepares�students�for�a�postsecondary�education.�Many�Linked�Learning� schools�ensure�students�successfully�complete�the�necessary�A-G�coursework�for�admission� to�a�UC�or�CSU.�In�fact,�57�percent�of�graduates�from�California�Partnership�Academies�(CPAs),� one�type�of�practiced�Linked�Learning�pathway,�fulfilled�the�courses�required�for�admission� to�UC�or�CSU�systems�compared�to�36�percent�statewide.�vi

• In�2010,�95�percent�of�students�who�attended�the�500�CPAs,�which�practice�a�form�of�Linked� Learning,�graduated.�CPAs�also�posted�higher�graduation�rates�for�Latino�and�African�American� students�compared�to�the�state�average�with�79�percent�and�84.5�percent�rates�respectively.�vii

Aligned�to�the�Common�Core�State�Standards

• In�2015,�California�will�begin�assessing�student�achievement�based�on�the�new,�more� rigorous�Common�Core�State�Standards�adopted�by�the�vast�majority�of�states.�Linked� Learning�principles�are�aligned�with�the�new�state�standards’�focus�on�critical�thinking,� analysis,�and�applying�knowledge�to�solve�real-word�problems.�Linked�Learning�is�a�solution� for�schools�struggling�to�find�ways�to�meet�the�new�standards.

• California�and�others�states�in�the�Smarter�Balanced�Assessment�Consortium�are�creating� new�assessments�aligned�to�the�Common�Core�State�Standards�and�will�being�using�these� assessments�in�the�2014-15�school�year.�Under�these�new,�more�challenging�tests,� statewide�proficiency�rates�based�on�student�performance�on�these�new�more�challenging� tests�are�likely�to�be�lower�than�they�have�been,�prompting�a�public�discussion�about�what� schools�can�do�to�better�prepare�students�for�success�in�college�and�the�workplace.�Making� Linked�Learning�available�to�more�students�is�one�solution.�

• Common�Core-aligned�professional�development�opportunities�for�teachers�in�the�next� few�years�are�likely�to�promote�greater�accountability�and�the�need�for�more�school-wide� collaboration�to�help�students�meet�the�expectations�embedded�in�the�new�standards.� This�already�is�a�key�principle�of�the�Linked�Learning�approach.

i�California�Budget�Project.�(2011).�A�Decade�of�Disinvestment:�California�Education�Spending�Nears�the�Bottom.� http://www.cbp.org/pdfs/2011/111012_Decade_of_Disinvestment_%20SFF.pdf�

ii Parsi,�Ace,�David�Plank,�and�David�Stern.�Policy�Analysis�for�California�Education�(PACE).�Costs�of�California�Multiple�Pathway�Programs�p.4.� http://www.edpolicyinca.org/sites/default/files/2010_PR_PLANK_STERN.pdf

iii �Georgetown�University�Center�on�Education�and�the�Workforce.�Help�Wanted:�Projections�of�Jobs�and�Education�Requirements�through�2018.�P�v.� http://www9.georgetown.edu/grad/gppi/hpi/cew/pdfs/FullReport.pdf

iv��California�Department�of�Education.�(2013).�State�Schools�Chief�Tom�Torlakson�Announces�Continued�Improvement�in�State’s�High�School�Graduation�Rate.� http://www.cde.ca.gov/nr/ne/yr13/yr13rel42.asp

v�Profile�of�the�California�Partnership�Academies�2009-2010,�UC�Berkeley.�(2011).�http://casn.berkeley.edu/downloads/CPA-report-execSum_2010-11.pdfvi�Profile�of�the�California�Partnership�Academies�2009�-�2010.�UC�Berkeley.�(2011).�http://casn.berkeley.edu/downloads/CPA-report-execSum_2010-11.pdf

vii�Profile�of�the�California�Partnership�Academies�2009-2010,�UC�Berkeley�(2011)�http://casn.berkeley.edu/downloads/CPA-report-execSum_2010-11.pdf

For Educators + Administrators

v2.0, March 2013


Template Introductory Email/Letter to Educators

Now that you are prepared to conduct outreach to educators, the following materials provide you with step-by-

step assistance in conducting this outreach. The first step in your outreach is establishing contact with the teacher

or administrator to begin the conversation about Linked Learning. Adapt and customize this template email to help

you begin your outreach.

Subject: Your help to close the skills gap with Linked Learning

Hello [CONTACT NAME],

I’m reaching out to you because I would like to schedule a meeting to discuss how you are in a position to help

improve California’s workforce and provide more opportunities for our students.

As you know, many students in California are not getting the academic education, professional training, or work

experience they need to succeed. Our students are falling behind, while our state’s most important industries

struggle to find well-qualified employees.

That’s where Linked Learning comes in. Linked Learning is transforming education in California by integrating

rigorous academics with career-based learning and real-world workplace experiences. It ignites students’ passions

by giving them meaningful learning experiences in career-oriented pathways in fields such as engineering,

performing arts, health care, law, and more. When students love what they’re learning, they work harder, dream

bigger, and are able to achieve more.

Linked Learning students are demonstrating higher rates of persistence and higher graduation rates than their

peers at traditional high schools. What’s more, Linked Learning is helping to create students who are prepared to

succeed in college, career, and life. That leads to an advanced and productive 21st-Century workforce for

California.

Linked Learning has been successfully adapted and implemented in many public schools and districts across the

state, helping to prepare students for a full range of post-graduation opportunities.

We need your help [to spread the word about Linked Learning OR to bring/expand Linked Learning to/in our

community.] I will plan follow up with you next week to discuss scheduling [a brief meeting OR a quick phone call]

to discuss Linked Learning in more detail and what you can do to help.

Thank you—I look forward to talking with you soon.

Sincerely,

[NAME]

v2.0, March 2013


Phone Outreach to Educators Tips and Script

Once you have sent your introductory email, follow up with a phone call. The tips below provide guidance for

successful outreach by phone to engage prospective partners and allies for Linked Learning. Within each initial call,

you should make a connection, state who you are, state why you are calling, and wrap up the call with next steps.

The tips below provide context, and the script provides guidance on what to say during each phase of the call.

Phone Outreach Tips

I. Making the connection

· Whenever possible, reference a contact name in your introduction. This includes anyone at the organization

who may have helped you by setting up the call or by providing a contact name: “Beth Smith in the human

resources department gave me your name.”

· Make sure it’s a good time to talk. If it is not a good time, ask the contact when you can call back. Try to avoid

letting them call you back—they rarely do. If this is your only option, wait a week and then try them again. You

can also ask if there is someone else in the company or organization with whom you should speak.

· Be prepared to leave a voicemail message. Remember to leave your name and number at the beginning of the

message and keep the message short: “This is [NAME] with [ORGANIZATION] at [PHONE] (Enunciate the

number clearly and slowly. Many of us tend to speak too hurriedly on voice recordings.) Beth Smith gave me

your name and suggested I speak with you about workforce readiness and an approach that serves [COMPANY

OR ORGANIZATION]’s interests. I will try to reach you again later in the day [OR OTHER SPECIFIC TIME]. I look

forward to speaking with you soon.”

II. Stating who you are

· Explain who you are and on whose behalf you are calling to establish credibility.

III. Stating why you are calling

· Make clear quickly that you are not selling anything and get right to the point of the call.

· Tailor your program description to the person’s knowledge as well as your personal role in Linked Learning.

Keep your descriptions simple and avoid using terms or acronyms that your contact may not be familiar with.

· Do your homework on the person or organization you are contacting if possible so that you can highlight

specific ways that Linked Learning could benefit them. For example, “[ORGANIZATION]’s leadership on

workforce readiness is impressive. It’s one of the reasons we think [ORGANIZATION] would be a great potential

partner to our local Linked Learning pathways.”

· Make sure to have the FAQ sheet, fact sheet, and communicator tips on hand during the call in case your

contact asks you difficult or challenging questions about Linked Learning.

IV. Wrapping up the phone call

· Don’t forget to make “the ask.” During this first call, your objective may be to find out if your contact is

interested in meeting with you in person to engage more fully with Linked Learning. Most people will want

you to send additional information that they can review before making a decision.

· Before you end your call, be sure you have a next step, such as setting a date for your next call, sending

program information or setting up a meeting or school visit.

· If your contact was made through a friend or colleague, keep them in the loop about your progress.

v2.0, March 2013


Call Script

I. Making the connection

· Hi, this is [NAME] with [ORGANIZATION].

· [NAME] gave me your name and suggested I speak with you because you might be interested in an innovative

approach to education called Linked Learning. I’m following up on an email I sent you. Do you have a few

minutes to talk?

· Great. Are you familiar with Linked Learning?

II. Stating who you are

· I am a [TITLE] at [YOUR ORGANIZATION OR SCHOOL], and we are working with businesses, policymakers,

schools, and community organizations across California to educate key stakeholders about the value of

implementing the Linked Learning approach within public education in their communities.

III. Stating why you are calling

· Our goal is to raise awareness among educators and administrators in schools—folks like you—about the

successes and benefits of the Linked Learning approach. Because Linked Learning has proven to be so effective

at improving graduation rates and making students better prepared for both college and career, our ultimate

objective is to expand Linked Learning so that any student in California who wants to enroll in a Linked

Learning pathway within a public school may do so.

· Linked Learning is turning secondary education into a personally relevant, engaging experience for any

student, exposing them to previously unimagined college and career opportunities.

· Linked Learning ignites students’ passions by creating meaningful learning experiences in career-oriented

pathways that combine rigorous academics and real-world learning opportunities in fields of engineering,

health care, performing arts, law, and more.

· In fact, research shows that Linked Learning students have higher rates of persistence and higher graduation

rates than their peers at traditional high schools.

· I would love to share more with you about Linked Learning, as well as discuss how your school or district could

explore the options for establishing a pathway in your community. Could we set up a time to meet?

IV. Wrapping up the phone call

· Thanks for taking the time to talk today. I’m excited to meet with you to discuss Linked Learning.

· Is there any additional information I can provide to you?

· When is a convenient time for you to meet? [NOTE: Try to confirm the date/location while on the phone.]If

you have any questions or need further information, please call or email. [NOTE: Provide contact information

and use your direct line or business cell.]

v2.0, March 2013


Educator Meeting Script and Tips

Once you have successfully set up a meeting through your email and phone outreach, take some time to prepare

for you in-person meeting. The following script and tips are meant to guide a meeting with an educator to foster

their engagement with Linked Learning at their school, locally, or statewide. You may also want to supplement

your meeting with other items from the Linked Learning toolkit such as the fact sheet.

I. Starting your meeting

· Hi, I’m [NAME] with [ORGANIZATION]. I am happy we were able to connect in person to talk about Linked

Learning.

· Tips

o Always agree to meet at a time and location that is convenient for the educator, whether that is at a

school or a district office.

o Remember to bring a business card and any other materials that could be helpful in guiding your

conversation, including a brochure and/or fact sheet.

II. Discussing Linked Learning

Explain what Linked Learning is, how it works, and how it is effective. This approach will make clear what it means

for our students and our state.

· What it is

o Linked Learning is transforming education in California by integrating rigorous academics with

engagement in real-world professions. It is turning secondary education into a personally relevant, wholly

engaging experience for all levels of students, exposing them to previously unimagined college and career

opportunities.

o Linked Learning ignites students’ passions by creating meaningful experiences in career pathways such as

engineering, performing arts, health care, law, and more.

o When students are engaged and loving what they’re learning, they work harder, dream bigger, and

achieve more. Research shows that compared to traditional high schools the Linked Learning approach


o Linked Learning is helping to create an engaged future workforce, ready to succeed in college, career, and

life.

· How it works

o All Linked Learning students follow a topic-specific pathway, designed as a multi-year, comprehensive

program that engages them through project-based learning in the classroom paired with career exposure

and practical applications in a real-world setting. All Linked Learning pathways include:

§ A rigorous academic component

§ A technical component

§ Work-based learning experiences like internships

§ Personalized support and counseling

· How it is effective

o Making school relevant: Linked Learning connects what students learn in school to the real world and

their career goals. The curriculum comprises strong academics, professional training, and real-world

learning experiences, helping students connect what they learn now to what they hope to do in the

future.

o Graduating college ready: Linked Learning prepares students for a postsecondary education by providing

students with the necessary A-G coursework for admission to UC or Cal State University.

o Graduating career ready: Linked Learning prepares high school students for a full range of opportunities

after high school and ensures that students don’t have to choose between academics and professional

skills by integrating rigorous academics with real-world experience and career-based training.

v2.0, March 2013


o Adapting to state budget cuts: By reallocating resources and securing funds through private and

philanthropic partnerships, Linked Learning pathways have continued to successfully operate sustainably

in this challenging fiscal climate.

• If they ask questions, offer additional supportive points, as appropriate:

o Leveling the playing field: Linked Learning creates more opportunity and improves equity among all

California students. It helps students who may never have imagined going to college excel in high school,

discover new aspirations, and graduate with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in college and

career.

o Non-prescriptive: Linked Learning is flexible, adaptable, and can be tailored to the unique needs of any

district, school or community.

o Teaching support and professional development: Many resources and tools are available from the Linked

Learning Alliance, ConnectEd, and other organizations that provide teachers with the help they need to

make Linked Learning instruction a success. Most teachers in Linked Learning pathways love the approach

and think it is worth a little extra effort.

o Economic success: Linked Learning arms students with real-world experience and a strong academic and

professional foundation to earn postsecondary credentials that allow them to meet the demands of

today’s job market, and enjoy a meaningful career. Linked Learning pathways are aligned with California’s

major growth industries.

o Broad support: A number of organizations champion Linked Learning. The Linked Learning Alliance, a

statewide coalition comprised of more than 250 educators, industry professionals, and community

leaders, is a hub of information and works to build awareness, advise school districts, and expand the

Alliance to include more representation from the community. Alliance partners include ConnectEd, The

National Academy Foundation, the Los Angeles Small Schools Center, and College & Career Academy

Support Network (If possible, list Alliance members who are similar to the organization you are talking to).

• Tips

o Keep the conversation an open dialogue. While there is a lot of good information to communicate about

Linked Learning, it is important to listen as much as you talk. Pause and ask if the person you’re meeting

with has any questions or needs further clarification on a topic before moving forward.

o Use any materials you brought to the meeting like a brochure or fact sheet to support your points through

the discussion. Visuals can be helpful for understanding complex topics.

o Make Linked Learning personal. If you work in a Linked Learning school or had Linked Learning interns

work at your organization, discuss any relevant anecdotes or success stories you or your company or

organization have witnessed. Student examples are an effective way to explain Linked Learning and show

how it’s effective.

o Be concise. Again, while there is a lot of good information to communicate about Linked Learning, people

are busy. Stick with the key talking points.

o Keep your descriptions simple and avoid using terms or acronyms that your contact may not be familiar

with, unless you also explain them.

III. Making the ask and wrapping up the meeting

• I’m glad we were able to connect in person today.

• I’ve shared some information about Linked Learning, but nothing replaces seeing it yourself. Would you be

interested in visiting a school to see Linked Learning in action? I can help set that up.

• We would love to have your support as a Linked Learning partner. [NOTE: Be specific. “We would love to have

your support as a partner to provide curricular assistance in our engineering pathway,” or “We would love to

have your support as a partner to help us rally the business community around Linked Learning.”] I am happy

to provide you with additional materials and support to do so.

• There is a wealth of resources available, so being a partner is easy and rewarding. [NOTE: Again, be specific.

“We have a model for engaging industry professionals in curricular development, so you don’t have to know

much about curriculum in order to help,” or “We have a number of template materials available for use in

rallying business support. All that we ask of you is to discuss Linked Learning with your contacts and other

business leaders. We will provide talking points, printed materials, and anything else you may need.”]

v2.0, March 2013


· Thank you so much for your time. Please consider me a resource if you need any additional information and

support. I would like to follow up in a few weeks on the discussion we had today, both to see how your efforts

are going and to talk more about how we might work together.

· Tips

o Be direct and concise.

o Don’t forget to make “the ask.”

o Before you end the meeting, be sure you have a next step, such as asking to follow up by phone a few

weeks after the meeting.

o If your contact was made through a friend or colleague, keep them in the loop about your progress.

o Leave materials with important information behind such as links to resource websites, toolkits, fact sheets,

pamphlets, and your contact information.

o If possible, offer the person a tour or visit of a Linked Learning school, so they can get a first-hand sense of

the approach and pathways in action. We find that seeing is believing.

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v2.0, March 2013


Linked Learning principles are

already aligned with the new

Common Core State Standards—

with a focus on critical thinking,

analysis, and applying knowledge

to solve real-world problems.

Linked Learning, the Common Core State Standards, and New

Assessments

Meeting the Common Core State Standards

California will begin assessing student achievement based on new,

more rigorous state standards in the 2014-15 school year. Known as

the Common Core State Standards, the same principles that guide

these standards are the same ones that guide the learning goals of

Linked Learning—a focus on critical thinking, analysis, and applying

knowledge to solve real-world problems to better prepare students

for college, career, and life.

Linked Learning students will have an advantage under the Common

Core. Rigorous academics combined with an engaging, real-world learning environment will prepare students to

excel under the new standards. Linked Learning is an innovative approach that offers a solution to help students

meet the new standards and prepare for whatever path they choose after high school.

What are the Common Core State Standards?

The Common Core State Standards are a state-led effort, informed by extensive research and developed by

educators—including teachers, standards experts, and business leaders from across the country. The standards

enforce a set of rigorous, clear learning goals in English language arts and mathematics for grades K-12. They

identify much of the knowledge and skills that can help students graduate from high school prepared for college-

level work and the careers of the future.

California is among the 45 states that have voluntarily adopted the new standards and that are working to

implement them now. The goal of the new standards is to prepare students to succeed in today’s economy. Like

Linked Learning, the new standards represent a shift from memorizing facts and figures to challenging students to

develop a deeper understanding of subject matter, think critically, and apply learning to different situations and in

different contexts. Emphasis is on student learning and progress rather than just success on an assessment.

New State Assessments

California is working with other states and testing experts to develop new assessments aligned to the Common

Core through the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium, which it will begin using in the 2014-15 school year.

The consortium is developing better ways to administer tests and is planning to use computer adaptive

assessments, which will:

· more effectively measure student knowledge and understanding of English language arts and math, replacing

existing state tests;

· give educators, parents, and students more accurate, timely information showing how well students are

learning and whether students are on track to graduate high school, ready for college and the workplace; and

· provide more accurate and useful information about student achievement that will allow educators to

compare student performance across classrooms, schools, districts and states, ensuring all students will be

taught to the same high standards.

Helping All Students Excel

As California districts, schools and teachers begin to use the new assessments tied to higher standards, statewide

test scores are likely to be lower than they have been. This is expected, but should prompt a public discussion

about what schools can do better to prepare students better for college and the workplace. Fortunately, Linked

Learning students are already in a position to excel under the new state standards. Through both Linked Learning

and the Common Core, students are offered a rigorous academic experience that challenges them and put them

on a path to obtaining the skills and knowledge they will need for college, career, and life.

v2.0, March 2013


Template Blog Post for Educators

This blog post can be adapted by a local teacher or business leader and submitted as a guest post to a local blog.

You can find a local blog that covers education, the workforce, or both issues by searching the Internet, by

checking the website of your newspaper, or by seeing if your school district or local school maintains a blog.

The process of submitting a guest blog post is similar to that of submitting an op-ed:

· First, get familiar with the blog. Check to see if the blogger even accepts guest posts. Look at the subjects

covered and tone. Make sure that Linked Learning will be a topic of interest for the audience.

· Try to tailor your post to make it relevant to the blog or to a recent event. Small additions or edits can make

your blog post a better fit for the particular blog you are targeting.

· Finally, submit your blog post to the blogger and follow up by phone if possible. It may take a few days or even

weeks for the post to run. Be patient and be responsive. You’re building relationships that could be beneficial

in the long term.

Linked Learning: Inspiring Teachers and Students

By [NAME], [TITLE]

Each day and each year, teachers across the state devote their lives to helping California’s students. They are

everyday people working to ensure that all students graduate with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed

in college and career. Now, there is a promising approach called Linked Learning emerging in California that is

inspiring students and teachers alike.

Linked Learning is transforming education and igniting students’ passions. It works by integrating rigorous, college-

prep academics with career-based learning and real-world workplace experiences. In addition to a full set of

academic and career-based courses in the classroom, students also receive exposure to real careers through job

shadowing, apprenticeships, internships, and professional skill-building in workplace settings. All aspects of their

educational experience are aligned, and they are provided personalized support and counseling to help them

learn.

The Linked Learning approach works and is helping to reduce the dropout rate and boost school graduation rates.

At the end of the 2009-10 school year, the statewide graduation rate among seniors was 85 percent. By

comparison, the 500 California Partnership Academies (CPAs), which practice a form of Linked Learning, graduated

95 percent of their seniors. Linked Learning inspires students who may never have imagined going to college to

excel in high school, graduate, and succeed in college and life.

[INSERT 2-3 SENTENCES WITH EXAMPLE OF HOW LINKED LEARNING PATHWAYS HAS INSPIRED STUDENTS IN YOUR

EXPERIENCE.]

The Linked Learning approach is also helping to energize and engage teachers. It provides teachers with an

opportunity to collaborate with each other and interact with the larger community. And because Linked Learning is

flexible and adaptable, it can be tailored to the unique needs of most districts, schools and communities.

Teachers already work hard to prepare students for better opportunities after high school. Linked Learning

enhances those efforts and makes teaching more collaborative and enjoyable. [INSERT 1-2 SENTENCES WITH

EXAMPLE FROM LINKED LEARNING TEACHER.]

Linked Learning holds much promise for education, and teachers across the state can help bring it to their schools.

To find out more, go to www.LinkedLearning.org and also check out the resources and tools available from

ConnectEd (www.connectedcalifornia.org/linked_learning), the National Academy Foundation (naf.org/teachers-

administrators), and others that can help with developing student-centered, project-based Linked Learning

instruction aligned with Linked Learning.

v2.0, March 2013


Students

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v2.0, March 2013


Secondary (for Students):

Linked Learning gives you the opportunity to learn what you love, connecting your coursework with your interests and aspirations.

Your Linked Learning education will help you decide what you want to do after high school, prepare you for the challenges of college and career, and make sure that you have the skills and knowledge to seize opportunities that come your way.

Your pathway and programs are part of the larger Linked Learning movement across the state. This movement is working to create a more engaging and relevant academic experience for all California students.

Your voice matters. You can help expand Linked Learning opportunities to more students statewide by sharing your experience with policymakers, school officials, parents and other students.

v2.0, March 2013


Communicate with students to

collect and share stories of success

and empower them as

spokespeople for Linked Learning.

Best Practices Tip Sheet for Communicating with Students

Why Speak to Students?

Student stories are a powerful way to highlight the direct, real

benefits of Linked Learning. Communicating with students helps

them understand Linked Learning in a larger context. And

collecting powerful student stories allows the Linked Learning

field to share those stories in a variety of contexts. Additionally,

student voices are an important component of advocating for

expanding access to Linked Learning.

Sharing the stories and experiences of students helps provide a human element to the Linked Learning narrative.

These stories can be pushed out through a variety of channels to reach other audiences. Outreach to students

ensures a fresh repository of anecdotes that provide a variety of examples across regions, industries, and effective

pathways.

Additionally, outreach to students allows the field to recruit additional messengers who can build public and

political will by speaking about the personal benefits of Linked Learning. Students can share their own stories

directly with media, policymakers, educators, and other key audiences in the community.


When speaking with any audience, keep these communications tips in mind:




· Prepare your reasons and examples: Having three key points supported by examples will help you





concise.


convincingly.


















v2.0, March 2013






Things to Consider when Speaking with Students

Linked Learning students are already well-positioned to share their stories. Many are energized by their studies

and have a natural desire to tell their story. However, you should consider certain aspects about the student

mindset before communicating with them.

High school students are at a point in their lives when they are beginning to look to the future and imagine their

potential possibilities. Many students also are beginning to see problems in the world, such as social inequality and

injustice. Linked Learning, in fact, creates a more equitable and fair system that provides high-quality opportunities

for all students. Students can be motivated to support Linked Learning if it is positioned as a way to help them

and their peers achieve their goals and as a way to improve equity and fairness.

Many students, including those in Linked Learning pathways, may not have heard of Linked Learning or realize

what Linked Learning is. Outreach to students will entail a fair amount of basic education to show them the

statewide context for their individual pathways. By providing students with a better understanding of Linked

Learning, you can help them begin to see their role in the larger movement, including bringing Linked Learning to

more students.

Students may not realize the strength of their voice or their ability to affect change. While many students are

passionate and driven, most students will need specific direction in identifying the ways in which they can make a

difference. For example, be prepared to help them gather their thoughts, shape their message, and go through the

proper channels to share their stories with local media or across social media. Recruiting student voices to be

advocates for Linked Learning will require teaching them how to use their voice effectively to create changes in

policy and practice.

v2.0, March 2013























courses.







of their education.






and career.









v2.0, March 2013


Q: How is Linked Learning different from other CTE (Career Technical Education) and career academies or

charter schools?

A: Linked Learning is unique in its approach that encompasses effective features of CTE and the flexibility of

charter schools, paired with rigorous and relevant college-prep academics, to prepare students for college, career,

and life. Linked Learning allows students to apply classroom knowledge in real-world situations. Through its

integration of college- and career-readiness practices, Linked Learning ensures that every student will be equipped

with the necessary experience and training to succeed in school and become a skilled member of the California

workforce.

Q: Who is an advocate of Linked Learning?

A: A broad and diverse community of educators, employers, policymakers, and community-based organizations

champion Linked Learning, aiming to expand and improve programs and offer them to more students across the

state. The Linked Learning Alliance, a statewide coalition comprised of more than 250 educators, industry

professionals, and community leaders, is a hub of information and works to build awareness about Linked

Learning, advocate for policies that support high quality implementation, and expand Linked Learning

opportunities for students.

An important member of the Linked Learning Alliance, ConnectEd: The California Center for College and Career,

helps districts build systems of high-quality Linked Learning pathways by developing tools, supporting

demonstrations, providing technical assistance and professional development, leading collaboration efforts, and

promoting policies that expand Linked Learning overall. The National Academy Foundation, the College & Career

Academy Support Network, and the Los Angeles Small Schools Center are other key providers of technical

assistance to Linked Learning pathways and districts.

Linked Learning also is supported by students, parents, and educators around the state who are passionate about

improving education for all high school students and helping them to be successful in school and career.

Student-specific Questions

Q: Why should I care about Linked Learning?

A: Why do I need to know this? It’s a fair question, and Linked Learning provides a meaningful answer.

Linked Learning connects mathematics, English, science, social studies, and sometimes world languages to real

world problems that interest you. Through Linked Learning, you can work with professional adults to use what you

learn in your classes to tackle real-world problems and issues you care about in a real-world setting. School

becomes more interesting, and you graduate better prepared to succeed in postsecondary education and career.

Q: What does Linked Learning offer that I can’t get from regular school programs?

A: Linked Learning lets you organize your high school experience around an interest you care about. Interested in

engineering, digital media arts, law and justice, green energy, medicine and health occupations, or a number of

other career possibilities? Linked Learning offers programs of academic and professional study, along with work-

based learning, that will better prepare you for lasting success in both college and career.

Q: How can I help spread Linked Learning?

A: As a student, you can help support Linked Learning in the following ways:

• Share your success stories through ConnectEd Studios (www.connectedstudios.org), an online portal that

connects students, teachers, and parents involved in Linked Learning. Your personal stories will help build

more support among teachers, schools, districts, and policymakers. Share your experiences with your peers,

social media networks, or your local newspaper to get the word out about the value of linked learning and

ensure that all California students have the same opportunity.

v2.0, March 2013


• Reach out to other students and talk to them about your Linked Learning experience. Helping other students

become interested in Linked Learning is a great way to generate more excitement, increase participation, and

expand the approach to more schools.

• Every year, students will have opportunity to take part in a contest that asks them to submit their written or

recorded stories about Linked Learning and its impact on their lives. More information about the contest can

be found on the Linked Learning Alliance webpage.

Q: Will my voice matter in shaping Linking Learning?

A: Every student’s voice matters when it comes to shaping and building Linked Learning. Linked Learning is by

design flexible and meant to adapt to the unique needs of students in California’s diverse school districts. Students

are also encouraged to talk about their Linked Learning experience with educators so Linked Learning can improve

over time.

Q: How will I be supported in a Linked Learning school?

A: Student success is at the core of Linked Learning. In order to ensure students have all of the support they need

to excel in a Linked Learning curriculum, the following resources will be available to every student:

• Your teacher will provide you with the necessary lessons, books, and other instructional materials and

academic support needed to excel in a Linked Learning pathway.

• You will learn how to pursue an internship and learn tips on effective communication and how to work in an

office from teachers and counselors.

• You will meet business and industry professionals in your internship or work study program that will provide

you with guidance and information on reaching your career goals beyond high school.

Resources

http://www.connectedcalifornia.org/app/webroot/uploads/files/certification/Certification%20Rubric.pdf

http://www.linkedlearning.org/about/evidence-of-effectiveness

http://www.linkedlearning.org/about/faqs

http://www.stanford.edu/group/pace/PUBLICATIONS/TECHNICALREPORTS/2010_PR_PLANK_STERN.pdf

http://www.linkedlearning.org/get-involved/resources

LinkedLearning.org

Student and Parent Fact Sheet

Linked Learning

• Offers students a personally relevant, wholly engaging, rigorous academic and career-based curriculum with real-world professions.

• Ensures students graduate from high school well prepared to enter a two- or four-year college or university, an apprenticeship, or formal job training.

• Exposes students in high school to previously unimagined college and career opportunities.

Four Core Components of Linked Learning

• Rigorous academics. An academic component that includes college preparatory English, mathematics, science, history, and sometimes foreign language courses.

• Real-world technical skills. A challenging career-based component of three or more courses that help students gain the knowledge and skills that can give them a head start on a successful career.

• Work-based learning. A series of work-based learning opportunities that begin with mentoring and job shadowing and evolve into intensive internships, school-based enterprises, or virtual apprenticeships.

• Personalized support. Support services including counseling and supplemental instruction in reading, writing, and mathematics that help students master the academic and technical learning.

Proven Success

• Research shows that Linked Learning students of all demographic profiles have higher persistenceand graduation rates than their peers at traditional high schools.

Learn What You Love

• Students select an education pathway based on their personal and career interests. The pathways reflect California’s largest economic industry sectors, ranging from arts, media, and entertainment to engineering and design, health science and medical technology, among others.

• Selecting a pathway in high school does not determine a student’s lifelong career path. Instead it enhances the high school experience by exposing students to a range of professions and develops students’ skills and confidence that are needed in any profession.

• Linked Learning includes a college preparatory curriculum that helps complete the necessary coursework for admission to a University of California (UC) or California State University (CSU). Many students do find their calling in life after high school.

• Students gain real-world experience and connections with professionals in their field of interest through paid internships, job shadowing, and apprenticeships.

For Students + Parents

Leave High School Prepared for Success

• As of 2010, 59 percent of jobs require a postsecondary credential. By 2018, this figure will grow to 63 percent of all jobs, a trend that is likely to continue to grow. i

• Barely one-third of all students who graduate high school (36 percent) complete all the A-G courses necessary for admission to a University of California (UC) or a California State University (CSU) school. ii

• Many Linked Learning schools ensure students successfully complete the necessary A-G coursework for admission to a UC or CSU. In fact, 57 percent of graduates from California Partnership Academies (CPAs), which practice a form of Linked Learning, fulfilled the A-G courses required. iii

• CPAs also posted higher graduation rates with 95 percent of students completing high school. iv

• Linked Learning arms students with real-world experience and a strong academic foundation to go to college so that they can meet the demands of today’s job market and enjoy a meaningful, high-wage career.

• A person with a bachelor’s degree will earn, over his or her lifetime, nearly twice as much as a high school graduate. v

Aligned to the Common Core State Standards

• Linked Learning principles are already aligned with the Common Core State Standards that will make students more college and career ready by focusing on critical thinking, analysis, and applying knowledge to solve real-word problems. The Common Core will be implemented in the 2014-15 school year, and students will be tested on these new standards with new advanced assessments.

• Students enrolled in Linked Learning pathways are likely to produce better test scores than students not learning under the Linked Learning approach.

i Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce. Help Wanted: Projections of Jobs and Education Requirements through 2018. P v. http://www9.georgetown.edu/grad/gppi/hpi/cew/pdfs/FullReport.pdf

i i Profile of the California Partnership Academies 2009-2010, UC Berkeley. (2011). http://casn.berkeley.edu/downloads/CPA-report-execSum_2010-11.pdf

iiii Profile of the California Partnership Academies 2009-2010, UC Berkeley. (2011). http://casn.berkeley.edu/downloads/CPA-report-execSum_2010-11.pdf iv Profile of the California Partnership Academies 2009-2010, UC Berkeley. (2011). http://casn.berkeley.edu/downloads/CPA-report-execSum_2010-11.pdf v Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce. Help Wanted: Projections of Jobs and Education Requirements through 2018. P 4. http://www9.georgetown.edu/grad/gppi/hpi/cew/pdfs/FullReport.pdf


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Template School Newspaper Articles

Article by a Student Author/Reporter

This template article can be adapted by a student reporter for placement in a high school newspaper.

Linked Learning Pathways Prepare Students for Future

By [NAME]

Ask any of our classmates: Would you rather be staring into a textbook all day, or go into the community and learn

how our studies relate to what’s happening in the real world? Would you rather choose your own theme of study

or have one chosen for you? The answers are obvious—and important.

Fortunately, an approach to education called Linked Learning is helping an increasing number of students like you

and I better prepare for success after graduation—whether that’s college, career training, or the workplace—while

enabling us to answer the question, “Why do I need to know this?”

Linked Learning allows us to select a career-themed pathway that provides context for all of the subjects we learn.

Theme options range from “Arts, Media and Entertainment” to “Engineering and Design” to “Health Science and

Medical Technology.” At our school, the pathways include [EXAMPLES].

Each pathway includes academic, classroom-based career and workplace-based professional learning components

bolstered by personalized support. Linked Learning helps us feel more connected to our education because it

allows us to apply what we learn in the classroom to real-world projects in fields we’d like to work in. Many of us

know what we want to do after we graduate. And even if our career goals change during or after high school, a

Linked Learning education guarantees we will be better qualified and ready to excel in college, career, and life.

The most exciting part of Linked Learning is the real-world work experience in high school. We can participate in

job shadowing and meet mentors in our career field of interest. Linked Learning students eventually participate in

internships and externships. These work experiences help us make professional connections with potential future

employers and teach us important professional and collaborative work skills we will need to succeed after high

school.

Our high schools need to give us a strong educational foundation so that we can succeed after graduating—no

matter what we decide to do. Linked Learning is a great way to ensure we are prepared for a meaningful and

successful career and future.

If you want to be a part of the Linked Learning movement, check it out on Facebook (Linked Learning Alliance).

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Article/Op-Ed by a Business Leader

This sample article serves as a template for a business leader to adapt and personalize for placement in the

newspaper of a Linked Learning high school.

A Brighter Future through Linked Learning

By [NAME]

The economic recession has complicated the outlook for many high school students like you. It is important to

recognize that, with good preparation, the future is full of countless opportunities for your generation. The key is

to be prepared to take advantage of these future opportunities.

Graduating with the skills, knowledge, and resourcefulness to pursue a meaningful career is critical. Fortunately, an

approach for improving education called Linked Learning, now available at [SCHOOL], helps you better prepare for

college and career success after graduation. With Linked Learning, you select a career-themed pathway from 15

different options that mirror important economic sectors in our state. You will get a comprehensive education and

real-world experience through the integration of rigorous academics, professional skills, and job shadowing and

paid internships. By experiencing high school in a pathway that interests you, you gain knowledge, develop skills

and make professional connections, giving you a leg up in higher education and the job market.

Right now, California has a shortage of qualified workers to fill the jobs our state’s economy demands. Even though

unemployment is still too high across the state, many companies—ours included—have job openings we can’t fill.

We can’t find enough people who have the skills and training that we need. It is estimated that by 2018, 63

percent of U.S. jobs will require some sort of credential beyond high school.

[INSERT PERSONALIZED EXAMPLE OF EMPLOYER/BUSINESS LEADER’S SPECIFIC INVOLVEMENT WITH LINKED

LEARNING]

Businesses like ours are looking for bright students who will become well-qualified workers with the right

credentials and experience to help our company and community grow and prosper. A Linked Learning high school

education is a great first step for students seeking a meaningful and successful career and future.

[NAME] is a [TITLE] at [ORGANIZATION]. Both [NAME] and [ORGANIZATION] are actively involved in the Linked

Learning pathway here at [SCHOOL].

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Parents

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Secondary (for Parents):

Linked Learning inspires more students to stay in school, achieve more, and graduate ready for college and career. And, it helps students see the connection between their education and life.

Linked Learning opens doors to more opportunities for students after high school. By gaining real-world experience and skills, Linked Learning students are better equipped to succeed in college, career and life.

Parents have an important role to play in creating Linked Learning pathways in their communities and advocating for expanded opportunities for their children. Parents should use their voices to tell educators that they want Linked Learning for their children and their community.

Parents should encourage policymakers at the local and state level to support expansion of Linked Learning, and urge them to provide resources and funding to help schools create and expand the Linked Learning pathways offered

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Communicate with parents to show

them that Linked Learning is a high-

quality option to help prepare their

children for success in college and

career, and life.

Best Practices Tip Sheet for Communicating with Parents

Why Speak to Parents?

All parents and guardians are invested in the success of their

children. Communicating with parents and guardians helps to

make sure they are informed and engaged in the issue and are

aware of the ways Linked Learning could affect their children.

While communicating with students, the media, and other

audiences helps Linked Learning messages reach parents, it will be

important for the field to engage parents directly so that they are

supportive of and involved in the implementation of pathways.

Additionally, gaining the support of parents helps to inform and influence other audiences. In particular, the most

influential parents are positioned to mobilize other parents to demand expanded Linked Learning opportunities for

students from school boards, district and school leaders, and policymakers.


When speaking with any audience, keep a few communications tips in mind:




· Prepare you reasons and examples: Having three key points supported by examples will help you





concise.


convincingly.






















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Things to Consider when Speaking with Parents

Linked Learning has the potential to transform students’ lives throughout the state, and parents are powerful

drivers for education reform. Expanding the Linked Learning approach to more schools and districts cannot happen

without parents’ support. When communicating with parents and seeking their support, keep the following points

in mind.

Parents and guardians first and foremost are interested in what's best for their children. Furthermore, they may be

suspicious of unfamiliar practices or any change that they fear might negatively impact their children’s academic

opportunities or achievement. Be sure to address any myths or misperceptions about Linked Learning with

parents and include them as active participants in discussions about creating or expanding pathways.

Linked Learning sometimes is confused with tracking or career technical education (CTE). Many parents will resist

efforts that appear to relegate some students to lower expectations. Communicating with parents will require

differentiating Linked Learning from other educational programs and highlighting how Linked Learning includes

more rigorous demands and can boost student aspirations and achievement outcomes. Furthermore, parents

will want to know how Linked Learning can provide children with more opportunities after high school as well as

how it increases their chances of graduating.

Finally, remember that Linked Learning is about increasing opportunities for all students. When speaking with

parents, focus on the power of Linked Learning to engage students, to help them realize their options, and to

achieve their full potential.

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courses.







of their education.






and career.









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Q: How is Linked Learning different from other CTE (Career Technical Education) and career academies or

charter schools?

A: Linked Learning is unique in its approach that encompasses effective features of CTE and the flexibility of

charter schools, paired with rigorous and relevant college-prep academics, to prepare students for college, career,

and life. Linked Learning allows students to apply classroom knowledge in real-world situations. Through its

integration of college- and career-readiness practices, Linked Learning ensures that every student will be equipped

with the necessary experience and training to succeed in school and become a skilled member of the California

workforce.

Q: Who is an advocate of Linked Learning?

A: A broad and diverse community of educators, employers, policymakers, and community-based organizations

champion Linked Learning, aiming to expand and improve programs and offer them to more students across the

state. The Linked Learning Alliance, a statewide coalition comprised of more than 250 educators, industry

professionals, and community leaders, is a hub of information and works to build awareness about Linked

Learning, advocate for policies that support high quality implementation, and expand Linked Learning

opportunities for students.

An important member of the Linked Learning Alliance, ConnectEd: The California Center for College and Career,

helps districts build systems of high-quality Linked Learning pathways by developing tools, supporting

demonstrations, providing technical assistance and professional development, leading collaboration efforts, and

promoting policies that expand Linked Learning overall. The National Academy Foundation, the College & Career

Academy Support Network, and the Los Angeles Small Schools Center are other key providers of technical

assistance to Linked Learning pathways and districts.

Linked Learning also is supported by students, parents, and educators around the state who are passionate about

improving education for all high school students and helping them to be successful in school and career.

Parent-specific Questions

Q: Will my child be prepared for his or her next steps after high school, even if that doesn’t immediately include

college?

A: Yes. Linked Learning prepares high school students for a full range of post-graduation opportunities and ensures

that students gain both academics and professional skills, since both are necessary for a complete education and a

successful future.

Within Linked Learning pathways, students discover how their education relates to the real world and helps

students make informed choices after high school. We know from experience that students who see real world

connections to their studies work harder and aim higher. With opportunities to learn both inside and outside of

the classroom, students are exposed to career options that align with their interests—giving them early exposure

to life experiences beyond high school.

Q: Does Linked Learning force students to choose a career or a college major while still in high school?

A: No. Linked Learning is about using real-world application and career-based preparation to better understand

why you need to be good at math, science, English, and social studies. It is not about choosing a particular career,

although many students do find inspiration in their selections. Because Linked Learning provides students with a

solid academic foundation, as well as an introduction to important industry knowledge and general career

readiness skills, students in a chosen Linked Learning pathway are prepared for a wide range of postsecondary and

career options. Students in a health occupations pathway will have the academic and professional foundation to

pursue postsecondary majors in health-related fields, but they are equally well-prepared to go on in other fields as

well, whether it’s engineering, law and justice, or education, to name just a few.

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By experiencing integrated college preparatory academics and rigorous career education, students gain

communication, critical thinking and problem solving skills that are needed in any profession. No matter what

pathway a student chooses, Linked Learning is designed to arm students with a robust array of skills that will

better prepare them for college, career, and life.

Q: How is this different from tracking and career technical education?

A: It is very different. Linked Learning is based on a rigorous academic and career-based core where students

receive a high-quality education in traditional school subjects. The work-based components are integrated and

complement the academics, to ensure students have a well-rounded and engaging experience that will prepare

them for college and career beyond high school. The choice is theirs about what step to take after graduation—

they are prepared no matter what they decide.

Q: How can I get involved to help my school or district implement Linked Learning?

A: Parent support is critical to the development of new Linked Learning pathways or growing existing ones, and no

effort by parents is too small. Parents are encouraged to raise their voices and aspirations for their children and to

become vocal advocates for the development and expansion of Linked Learning. In addition to spreading the word,

parents can become involved by talking to policymakers as well as by attending local school board meetings and

information sessions and building support for Linked Learning within PTAs/PTOs and other local parent groups.

Q: What support is available to help sustain Linked Learning?

A: Support for Linked Learning comes from everyone who is involved in Linked Learning including students,

educators, parents, community organizations, and business leaders. These groups are helping to support and

expand current pathways and play a critical role in further development of Linked Learning in schools.

Organizations including the Linked Learning Alliance (www.LinkedLearning.org) and ConnectEd

(www.ConnectEdCalifornia.com) help sustain and improve Linked Learning schools. The Alliance has launched a

communications campaign aimed at gathering more support for Linked Learning, ConnectEd, the National

Academy Foundation, and other organizations that offer technical assistance to schools.

Resources

http://www.connectedcalifornia.org/app/webroot/uploads/files/certification/Certification%20Rubric.pdf

http://www.linkedlearning.org/about/evidence-of-effectiveness

http://www.linkedlearning.org/about/faqs

http://www.stanford.edu/group/pace/PUBLICATIONS/TECHNICALREPORTS/2010_PR_PLANK_STERN.pdf

http://www.linkedlearning.org/get-involved/resources

LinkedLearning.org

Student and Parent Fact Sheet

Linked Learning

• Offers students a personally relevant, wholly engaging, rigorous academic and career-based curriculum with real-world professions.

• Ensures students graduate from high school well prepared to enter a two- or four-year college or university, an apprenticeship, or formal job training.

• Exposes students in high school to previously unimagined college and career opportunities.

Four Core Components of Linked Learning

• Rigorous academics. An academic component that includes college preparatory English, mathematics, science, history, and sometimes foreign language courses.

• Real-world technical skills. A challenging career-based component of three or more courses that help students gain the knowledge and skills that can give them a head start on a successful career.

• Work-based learning. A series of work-based learning opportunities that begin with mentoring and job shadowing and evolve into intensive internships, school-based enterprises, or virtual apprenticeships.

• Personalized support. Support services including counseling and supplemental instruction in reading, writing, and mathematics that help students master the academic and technical learning.

Proven Success

• Research shows that Linked Learning students of all demographic profiles have higher persistenceand graduation rates than their peers at traditional high schools.

Learn What You Love

• Students select an education pathway based on their personal and career interests. The pathways reflect California’s largest economic industry sectors, ranging from arts, media, and entertainment to engineering and design, health science and medical technology, among others.

• Selecting a pathway in high school does not determine a student’s lifelong career path. Instead it enhances the high school experience by exposing students to a range of professions and develops students’ skills and confidence that are needed in any profession.

• Linked Learning includes a college preparatory curriculum that helps complete the necessary coursework for admission to a University of California (UC) or California State University (CSU). Many students do find their calling in life after high school.

• Students gain real-world experience and connections with professionals in their field of interest through paid internships, job shadowing, and apprenticeships.


Leave High School Prepared for Success

• As of 2010, 59 percent of jobs require a postsecondary credential. By 2018, this figure will grow to 63 percent of all jobs, a trend that is likely to continue to grow. i

• Barely one-third of all students who graduate high school (36 percent) complete all the A-G courses necessary for admission to a University of California (UC) or a California State University (CSU) school. ii

• Many Linked Learning schools ensure students successfully complete the necessary A-G coursework for admission to a UC or CSU. In fact, 57 percent of graduates from California Partnership Academies (CPAs), which practice a form of Linked Learning, fulfilled the A-G courses required. iii

• CPAs also posted higher graduation rates with 95 percent of students completing high school. iv

• Linked Learning arms students with real-world experience and a strong academic foundation to go to college so that they can meet the demands of today’s job market and enjoy a meaningful, high-wage career.

• A person with a bachelor’s degree will earn, over his or her lifetime, nearly twice as much as a high school graduate. v

Aligned to the Common Core State Standards

• Linked Learning principles are already aligned with the Common Core State Standards that will make students more college and career ready by focusing on critical thinking, analysis, and applying knowledge to solve real-word problems. The Common Core will be implemented in the 2014-15 school year, and students will be tested on these new standards with new advanced assessments.

• Students enrolled in Linked Learning pathways are likely to produce better test scores than students not learning under the Linked Learning approach.

i Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce. Help Wanted: Projections of Jobs and Education Requirements through 2018. P v. http://www9.georgetown.edu/grad/gppi/hpi/cew/pdfs/FullReport.pdf

i i Profile of the California Partnership Academies 2009-2010, UC Berkeley. (2011). http://casn.berkeley.edu/downloads/CPA-report-execSum_2010-11.pdf

iiii Profile of the California Partnership Academies 2009-2010, UC Berkeley. (2011). http://casn.berkeley.edu/downloads/CPA-report-execSum_2010-11.pdf iv Profile of the California Partnership Academies 2009-2010, UC Berkeley. (2011). http://casn.berkeley.edu/downloads/CPA-report-execSum_2010-11.pdf v Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce. Help Wanted: Projections of Jobs and Education Requirements through 2018. P 4. http://www9.georgetown.edu/grad/gppi/hpi/cew/pdfs/FullReport.pdf


v2.0, March 2013


Template PowerPoint Slides A preview of the template PowerPoint slides is available above for your reference, under the “Educators” section. Full versions of the template PowerPoint presentation that are specially tailored to each audience are available on the Linked Learning website. To download the file and accompanying script for a specific audience, please visit www.linkedlearning.org/resources. To directly download the presentation tailored to educators, parents, and students, go to www.linkedlearning.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/template-PPT-internal-small.pptx.

v2.0, March 2013


Linked Learning principles are

already aligned with the new

Common Core State Standards—

with a focus on critical thinking,

analysis, and applying knowledge

to solve real-world problems.

Linked Learning, the Common Core State Standards, and New

Assessments

Meeting the Common Core State Standards

California will begin assessing student achievement based on new,

more rigorous state standards in the 2014-15 school year. Known as

the Common Core State Standards, the same principles that guide

these standards are the same ones that guide the learning goals of

Linked Learning—a focus on critical thinking, analysis, and applying

knowledge to solve real-world problems to better prepare students

for college, career, and life.

Linked Learning students will have an advantage under the Common

Core. Rigorous academics combined with an engaging, real-world learning environment will prepare students to

excel under the new standards. Linked Learning is an innovative approach that offers a solution to help students

meet the new standards and prepare for whatever path they choose after high school.

What are the Common Core State Standards?

The Common Core State Standards are a state-led effort, informed by extensive research and developed by

educators—including teachers, standards experts, and business leaders from across the country. The standards

enforce a set of rigorous, clear learning goals in English language arts and mathematics for grades K-12. They

identify much of the knowledge and skills that can help students graduate from high school prepared for college-

level work and the careers of the future.

California is among the 45 states that have voluntarily adopted the new standards and that are working to

implement them now. The goal of the new standards is to prepare students to succeed in today’s economy. Like

Linked Learning, the new standards represent a shift from memorizing facts and figures to challenging students to

develop a deeper understanding of subject matter, think critically, and apply learning to different situations and in

different contexts. Emphasis is on student learning and progress rather than just success on an assessment.

New State Assessments

California is working with other states and testing experts to develop new assessments aligned to the Common

Core through the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium, which it will begin using in the 2014-15 school year.

The consortium is developing better ways to administer tests and is planning to use computer adaptive

assessments, which will:

· more effectively measure student knowledge and understanding of English language arts and math, replacing

existing state tests;

· give educators, parents, and students more accurate, timely information showing how well students are

learning and whether students are on track to graduate high school, ready for college and the workplace; and

· provide more accurate and useful information about student achievement that will allow educators to

compare student performance across classrooms, schools, districts and states, ensuring all students will be

taught to the same high standards.

Helping All Students Excel

As California districts, schools and teachers begin to use the new assessments tied to higher standards, statewide

test scores are likely to be lower than they have been. This is expected, but should prompt a public discussion

about what schools can do better to prepare students for college and the workplace. Fortunately, Linked Learning

students are already in a position to excel under the new state standards. Through both Linked Learning and the

Common Core, students are offered a rigorous academic experience that challenges them and put them on a path

to obtaining the skills and knowledge they will need for college, career, and life.

v2.0, March 2013


Template Parent Newsletter Article

This sample newsletter article could be adapted and inserted to a newsletter that is regularly sent to parents, such

as those from a school, the school district, or the local PTA or PTO.

Linked Learning: An Innovative Approach

A major part of [our/SCHOOL’S] commitment to education means ensuring that your child graduates prepared for

a successful future. In California, one solution to help us prepare all students is Linked Learning. [OPTIONAL: Linked

Learning, which is gaining momentum across the state, is the innovative approach that we practice here at

[SCHOOL] through our pathway programs. Our goal is to engage students in their studies by connecting them with

their passions, inspiring then to reach higher, and preparing them for any path they choose after high school.]

Linked Learning works like this: students take a full set of rigorous academic courses integrated with career-based

classroom learning, career-based learning experiences and real-world workplace experiences, and personalized

mentoring. All these components are tied to real-world professions in our state’s priority industries like

engineering, performing arts, health care, law, and more. We offer [NUMBER] of pathways, including [EXAMPLES].

Students are held to a high standard of academic rigor and given opportunities to interact with experts in

professional settings. Everything is geared toward making education relevant to students and answering the

question, “Why do I need to learn this?”

Linked Learning is a practice that has shown the potential to boost achievement for all students, increase

graduation rates, and reduce dropout rates. It helps students to truly own their education and opens them up to

the many potential opportunities that are available to them after high school. Many students find their calling in

life while in high school. For those who remain unsure, a Linked Learning education will be more relevant and

inspire them to work harder, aim higher, and be prepared for any future path they chose.

Linked Learning has already made a tremendous difference in the lives of students in our community [INSERT A

POSITIVE LINKED LEARNING EXAMPLE FROM YOUR HIGH SCHOOL]. And it has better connected our community

with our schools and our students. Linked Learning is helping us ensure that all of our students can succeed in

college, career, and life. To find out more about Linked Learning pathways and learn how you can get involved, go

to www.LinkedLearning.org.

communications toolkit for engaging internal...

Documents