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
v2.0, March 2013
FOR INTERNAL AUDIENCES | p 2
District leaders, school board members,
postsecondary leaders, and teachers
v2.0, March 2013
FOR INTERNAL AUDIENCES | p 3
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.
v2.0, March 2013
FOR INTERNAL AUDIENCES | p 4
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
FOR INTERNAL AUDIENCES | p 5
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
v2.0, March 2013
FOR INTERNAL AUDIENCES | p 6
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.
v2.0, March 2013
FOR INTERNAL AUDIENCES | p 7
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.
v2.0, March 2013
FOR INTERNAL AUDIENCES | p 8
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.
v2.0, March 2013
FOR INTERNAL AUDIENCES | p 9
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
v2.0, March 2013
FOR INTERNAL AUDIENCES | p 10
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
FOR INTERNAL AUDIENCES | p 13
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
FOR INTERNAL AUDIENCES | p 14
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
FOR INTERNAL AUDIENCES | p 15
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
FOR INTERNAL AUDIENCES | p 16
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
results in greater rates of persistence and higher graduation rates for all students.
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
FOR INTERNAL AUDIENCES | p 17
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
FOR INTERNAL AUDIENCES | p 18
· 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.
[30
se
con
d v
ide
o c
lip
of
stu
de
nts
ta
lkin
g a
bo
ut
the
ir p
osi
tive
exp
eri
en
ce w
ith
Lin
ked
Le
arn
ing
]
v2.0, March 2013
FOR INTERNAL AUDIENCES | p 41
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
FOR INTERNAL AUDIENCES | p 42
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
FOR INTERNAL AUDIENCES | p 43
Students
v2.0, March 2013
FOR INTERNAL AUDIENCES | p 44
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.
v2.0, March 2013
FOR INTERNAL AUDIENCES | p 45
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
FOR INTERNAL AUDIENCES | p 46
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.
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
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).
v2.0, March 2013
FOR INTERNAL AUDIENCES | p 47
· 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 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
FOR INTERNAL AUDIENCES | p 48
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.
v2.0, March 2013
FOR INTERNAL AUDIENCES | p 49
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
FOR INTERNAL AUDIENCES | p 50
• 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
For Students + Parents
v2.0, March 2013
FOR INTERNAL AUDIENCES | p 53
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).
v2.0, March 2013
FOR INTERNAL AUDIENCES | p 54
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].
v2.0, March 2013
FOR INTERNAL AUDIENCES | p 55
Parents
v2.0, March 2013
FOR INTERNAL AUDIENCES | p 56
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.
v2.0, March 2013
FOR INTERNAL AUDIENCES | p 57
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
v2.0, March 2013
FOR INTERNAL AUDIENCES | p 58
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.
General Communications Tips
When speaking with any audience, keep a few 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 you 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
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.
v2.0, March 2013
FOR INTERNAL AUDIENCES | p 59
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.
v2.0, March 2013
FOR INTERNAL AUDIENCES | p 60
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.
v2.0, March 2013
FOR INTERNAL AUDIENCES | p 61
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.
v2.0, March 2013
FOR INTERNAL AUDIENCES | p 62
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.
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
For Students + Parents
v2.0, March 2013
FOR INTERNAL AUDIENCES | p 65
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
FOR INTERNAL AUDIENCES | p 66
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
FOR INTERNAL AUDIENCES | p 67
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.
Top Related