LA-25 West Covina USD: Launch of New Patient Care Pathway

Pathways Improvement Scope

WCUSD’s new Patient Care Pathway at Edgewood High School project aims to address the Governor’s CTE roadmap, Vision 2030, and the significant gap between the growing demand for healthcare professionals and the current lack of qualified candidates. This project will provide educational opportunities to underserved Los Angeles students, particularly in the San Gabriel Valley and West Covina areas. West Covina Unified School District (USD) serves a high-need student population, with 71% of students on free and reduced lunch, 10% being English language learners, and 1% being foster youth. These students have limited access to high-quality Career Technical Education (CTE) programs that could prepare them for these in-demand healthcare roles. The grant project seeks to bridge this gap by expanding CTE training in the Health Science and Medical Technology sector, focusing on articulation/dual enrollment, work-based learning, and industry-recognized certifications. This initiative is critical not only for addressing the workforce shortages in the healthcare sector but also for providing equitable educational opportunities that can lead to stable, high-wage, high-demand careers for underserved students. By aligning the educational pathways with the demands of the regional labor market, the project aims to ensure that students are better prepared for post-secondary success and can contribute to the region’s growing healthcare needs.

Goals & Priorities

This project focuses on key measurable outcomes to align career pathways with Mt. Sac, Rio Hondo, and Citrus Community College programs, leading to high-wage, high-demand healthcare careers. We will aim for a 90% industry certification attainment rate, ensuring students earn industry-standard certifications like First Aid/CPR by graduation. Dual enrollment and articulation will be prioritized, with a goal of 75% of pathway students completing an average of 12 college credits by graduation through articulation agreements and dual enrollment. Work-based learning is a priority, with all students completing at least 100 hours of experience with local healthcare providers such as Kaiser, Emanate, Baldwin Park Medical Center, East Valley Clinic, Doctors Hospital, Clara Baldwin Stocker Home, West Haven Healthcare, and Dr. W. Alfaro. We target an 85% postsecondary transition rate, aiming for graduates to enter healthcare-related college programs or employment within six months of graduation. Active involvement in HOSA, a Career Technical Student Organization (CTSO), will be encouraged, with a goal of 70% of pathway students participating in events or competitions annually. We also target an 85% program completion rate for students entering the patient care pathway. Articulation agreements are crucial, with 70% of students successfully transferring earned credits to partnering postsecondary institutions. Additionally, we aim for 90% of students to demonstrate proficiency in industry-specific skills through a comprehensive assessment aligned with healthcare industry standards.