LA-25 HLPUSD: CTE Pathways to Innovation: STEM for Success

Pathways Improvement Scope

HLPUSD’s pathways improvement scope targets critical gaps in access to high-skill, high-wage CTE pathways for underrepresented students, particularly in Advanced Transportation, Health Science, Biotechnology, and Engineering in direct correlation to Strategic Direction 2 of the Vision 2030 focus on Equitable Workforce and Economic Development.

1. Curriculum Alignment: We aim to align high school CTE pathways with community college programs in high-demand sectors like automotive and drone technology. This responds to the identified supply gaps and the need to prepare students for roles that often require postsecondary education, directly increasing student readiness for high-wage careers.

2. Work-Based Learning Expansion: To address the gap in practical experience needed for careers in sectors like Engineering and Medical Technology, our objective is to expand work-based learning opportunities. By partnering with local industries, we’ll provide internships, apprenticeships, and hands-on learning that equip students with skills demanded by the labor market, closing the skills gap highlighted in the Problem Statement.

3. Equity in Access and Completion: Our focus on increasing enrollment and completion rates for underserved subgroups responds to the documented inequities in accessing CTE pathways. By implementing targeted outreach and support services, we ensure that low-income, BIPOC, and female students gain equitable access to high-skill, high-wage career opportunities, particularly in the high-demand fields identified.

4. Mentorship and Industry Engagement: The creation of mentorship programs with professionals from underrepresented backgrounds directly supports the objective of increasing student engagement and career exploration in fields like drone technology and automotive repair, where higher education levels are often required.

5. Data-Driven Improvement: Continuous monitoring and adaptation based on disaggregated student data ensure that our strategies are responsive to the evolving needs of disproportionately impacted students. This objective supports the need to close gaps in both enrollment and completion rates, as highlighted in the Problem Statement.

Goals & Priorities

HLPUSD’s project aims to:
1. Develop and implement an updated curriculum for CTE pathways in Automotive, Drone Technology, Health Science, and Engineering that aligns with community college programs, leading to high-wage careers. Target 80% of courses to meet industry and college standards within the first year.

2. Increase student participation in work-based learning opportunities (internships, apprenticeships) in Advanced Transportation, Biotechnology, and Engineering by 25% within two years. Ensure 50% of these experiences are directly tied to industry partners and community colleges.

3. Boost completion rates in CTE courses for Automotive, Health Science, and Engineering by 20% within two years through enhanced instructional support, such as project-based learning. Track completion data with a focus on underserved student subgroups.

4. Increase high school graduate enrollment in related community college programs by 30% over three years, supported by aligned curriculum and instructional resources. Measure retention rates in these pathways to ensure alignment success.

5. Ensure 35% of students in work-based learning earn industry-recognized certifications within four years, boosting readiness for high-demand careers. Disaggregate data to analyze impact on different student groups.

6. Achieve a 15% increase in enrollment of underserved subgroups (low-income, BIPOC, female students) in high-quality CTE pathways within three years, focusing on curriculum alignment and work-based learning.

7. Provide resources toward job placements for 60% of program graduates in high-wage careers (e.g., Automotive Technicians, Medical Lab Technologists) within six months of completion, leveraging industry-linked work-based learning experiences.