Schools Chief Torlakson Announces $250 Million Available in Pathway Grants

REL#14-109
November 3, 2014

CONTACT: Tina Jung
PHONE: 916-319-0818
E-MAIL: communications@cde.ca.gov

Schools Chief Torlakson Announces $250 Million Available in Pathway Grants

SACRAMENTO--State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson today invited school districts and community colleges to apply for $250 million in California Career Pathways Trust grants for programs that provide skills and practical experience to help students prepare for success in college and careers.

"This program is a great example of teamwork among educators and employers," said Torlakson. "By giving students a taste of the working world before they graduate, these programs motivate and excite students, reduce the drop-out rate, and increase the college attendance rate."

A career pathway program helps students chart the classes they need in high school and community college to prepare for work in a particular industry. These programs lead students to two-year degrees, certificates, or four-year degrees that prepare them for highly skilled jobs in growing industries.

In the first round of funding last May, grant requests exceeded the $250 million available for funding. In this second round, an additional $250 million is available. The grants pay for collaboration efforts among school districts, community colleges, business, and community leaders, and the development of courses.

For application information, visit the California Department of Education's (CDE) California Career Pathways Trust Implementation Grant and California Career Pathways Consortium Development GrantWeb pages. The CDE also will hold several Grant Workshops in November for prospective applicants.

The CDE is working with the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office and the California Workforce Investment Board to offer this grant. This effort furthers Torlakson's Career Readiness initiative to curb dropouts and support career technical education.

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The California Department of Education is a state agency led by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson. For more information, please visit the California Department of Education Web site or by mobile device. You may also follow Superintendent Torlakson on Twitter, Facebook, andYouTube.

Regards,
Van Ton-Quinlivan, Vice Chancellor
Workforce & Economic Development Division
Chancellor’s Office, California Community Colleges