State Schools Chief Jack O'Connell Announces Availability
of Draft Report on Exploration of Multiple Pathway Programs
SACRAMENTO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell announced today that pursuant to Assembly Bill 2648 (Chapter 681, Statutes of 2008), a draft report on the feasibility of expanding multiple pathway programs is now available for public comment.
"Multiple pathways offer a promising high school reform approach that will assist in closing the achievement gap and preparing all students for success in the global economy of the 21st century," O'Connell said. "This draft report on California's multiple pathways initiative documents research on improving the effectiveness of our high schools. I am increasingly optimistic that multiple pathways can be an effective turnaround strategy for California's persistently low-achieving schools."
Multiple pathway programs for high schools have an integrated academic and technical core curriculum, combined with a variety of work-based learning opportunities and support services. These programs can be found in a growing number of California school districts in the form of California partnership academies, regional occupational centers and programs, charter schools, small learning communities, and other career-themed small schools.
"I appreciate the leadership of Assembly Speaker Karen Bass, Assembly members Wilmer Amina Carter and Warren Furutani, and Senate President pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg in supporting the exploration of this school improvement strategy," O'Connell said. "I also applaud and thank the James Irvine Foundation for its generous financial support for the research conducted for this report."
Bass, Steinberg, Carter, and Furutani authored Assembly Bill 2648 that required the State Superintendent to develop, with input from various stakeholders, a report that explores the feasibility of establishing and expanding additional multiple pathway programs in California. The California Department of Education contracted with WestEd, a public, non-profit agency specializing in educational research and development, to assist in the preparation of the report.
Fourteen chapters of the multiple pathways report are available for public review now through January 15, 2010. O'Connell emphasized that stakeholder feedback and suggested recommendations are essential to the successful completion of this important project. To review the draft AB 2648 multiple pathways report, please go to the WestEd Web site at (Coming Soon.)
The final report is expected to be transmitted to the Legislature and the Governor in February 2010.
