By Emma Gallegos – EdSource
The state announced the recipients of $1 million in planning grants aimed at streamlining the transition from K-12 schools to college and career.
The Department of General Services announced that it would be awarding $250,000 each to collaboratives in the Bay Area, Central Coast, Northern San Joaquin and Eastern Sierra regions.
The Regional K-16 Education Collaboratives Grant Program is a $250 million program that boosts collaboration between local K-12 schools, higher education institutions and employers. Collaboratives must commit to creating at least two occupational pathways in health care, education, business management, engineering and computing. Each collaborative must focus on closing equity gaps.
“Statewide representation in this collaborative effort will maximize the program resources to ensure that all regions have an opportunity to enhance and streamline efforts to prepare students for meaningful careers and address equity issues,” said General Services Director Ana Lasso, in a statement.
The regions represent the four remaining areas of the state that have not received funding through previous rounds of funding announced in May and August:
-The Bay Area K-16 Collaborative includes as its partners Chabot-Las Positas Community College District, Hayward Unified School District, CSU East Bay and UC Berkeley, in addition to local employers, organizations and other stakeholders.
-The Central Coast K-16 Education includes Pajaro Valley Unified School District, Ventura County Community College District, CSU Monterey Bay and UC Santa Barbara.
-The Eastern Sierra region aims to connect a large and fragmented region with partners Columbia College, Sonora Union High School District, CSU Stanislaus and UC Merced.
-WE Will! is a new collaborative in the Northern San Joaquin Valley that brings together UC Merced, Modesto City Schools, San Joaquin Delta College and CSU Stanislaus.
