Linked Learning Equity, Access and Choice

Linked Learning Equity, Access and Choice (EAC) Advisory Committee
FACT SHEET
Collective Goal
To combat educational inequities in school districts and communities across California through a Linked
Learning approach that transforms high schools and results inequitable outcomes for all.
Linked Learning Value Statement on Equity
We believe that an effective pathway should pursue excellence and equity as mutual goals. A
pathway should establish and honor non-discriminatory and inclusive policies, practices, and
pedagogy to ensure both equitable access and commitment to and support for each student’s
success, regardless of her/his prior academic achievement. A pathway should intentionally
reflect the diversity and strengths of its school, district, and community.
Rationale
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Students may not have equitable access to and choice of Linked Learning pathways due to a number of
factors, including district policies, traditional attendance patterns, prior academic history, lack of
transportation, and other issues related to equity, access and choice.
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Students participating in pathways may not be served equitably due to English language status, special
needs designation, differential rigor of curriculum and/or quality of instruction, varied opportunities to
participate in work-based learning opportunities, limited intervention/support structures, among other
factors.
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In order to combat these potential inequities in a coordinated fashion, ConnectEd (CE) and The
Education Trust-West (ETW) have collaboratively formed, convened, and facilitate a representative
Equity, Access, and Choice (EAC) Advisory Committee to promote heightened attention to issues of
equity, access, and choice in school districts and communities that have chosen to use a Linked
Learning approach to transform its high schools and improve student outcomes. A committee with
this level of intentionality to support EAC in the LL context can be used in and outside of the California
context.
Structure and Representation

The EAC Advisory Committee consists of two Action Teams constructed of representatives from a list of
identified partner organizations and school districts (see next page), all of which have an interest and/or
level of expertise in equity issues and/or Linked Learning. The Action Teams address issues of equity,
access, and choice at the
o School/pathway level
o District System level
Original Scope of Work

Each Action Team is in the process of completing the following scope of work for their respective level:
 Define equity, access, and choice as it relates to Linked Learning;
 Create or adapt a metric that pathways and districts may use to self-assess the degree to which
they are effectively addressing issues of equity, access, and choice; and
 Based on an analysis of the results of the self-assessments, develop a plan for supporting pathways
and districts to improve in identified areas of growth. The plan will likely identify the need to
create/adapt tools, provide professional development, adapt coaching strategies, and revise
policies and related practices.
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Since Inception: Progress to Date
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Quarterly Webinars by Action Teams
Four Regional Convenings
Production of EAC Matrices, IP
Data and information from EAC Matrices used to develop LL Equity Survey
Submitted equity-based recommendations for IN-SITES/Data Dashboard Tools and CE DDD
Representation
Individuals from the following organizations have been invited to participate on one or both Action Teams of the
EAC Advisory Committee:
School Districts
 Antioch USD
 Long Beach USD
 Los Angeles USD
 Montebello USD
 Oakland USD
 Pasadena USD
 Porterville USD
 Sacramento City USD
 West Contra Costa USD
Partner Organizations
 Alliance for a Better Community
 California Department of Education
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Career Academy Support Network, UC Berkeley
ConnectEd: The California Center for College and Career
Education Trust – West
The National Center for Transforming School Counseling
Emerald Consulting
Institute for Democracy, Education, and Access (IDEA) at the University of California LA
Los Angeles Small School Center (LASSC)
National Academy Foundation (NAF)
National Equity Project (NEP)
Stanford Center for Opportunity Policy in Education (SCOPE)
WestEd, Region IX Equity Assistance Center