California’s $700 million investment in Golden State Pathways and dual enrollment promises to dramatically increase college and career opportunities for students. The $200 million for dual enrollment will be available as one-time grants to establish new middle or early college high schools (up to $250,000) or new College and Career Access Pathways (CCAP) partnerships (up to $100,000). The $500 million for the Golden State Pathways (GSP) program, centered on development of college and career pathways in high-wage, high-skill, high-growth areas, also requires that the pathways provide opportunities to earn at least 12 units of early college credit. Applicants will be able to apply for planning grants, implementation grants or both. There are also grants for up to 10 local educational agency (LEA) technical assistance providers.
For these grant opportunities, applications from “high-priority local education agencies” will be prioritized. Such LEAs have higher than average rates of suspension/expulsion or dropping out; higher than average percentages of homeless, foster or justice-involved youth; or a lower than average A-G completion rate.
Although grant application details aren’t available yet, here are some things you can do now to start preparing.
Take note of the award criteria for the new California Exemplary Dual (CDE) Enrollment Award program. CDE designed this program specifically to recognize schools that have exemplary dual enrollment programs. The award selection criteria include elements common to high-quality dual enrollment programs—attention to equity, integration with college and district plans/frameworks, offering dual credit, focus on outcomes, pathways design, and integrated student supports. (Note that award program applications are due November 30, 2022.)
Join the CDE’s new dual enrollment listserv for updates on the new dual enrollment grant programs and the California Exemplary Dual Enrollment Award program. To join, send a blank email to join-dualenrollment@mlist.cde.ca.gov.
Start thinking about your current partnerships and potential new ones. This goes beyond general expansion of dual enrollment through new CCAP programs or early/middle college.
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- Recent legislation clarified CCAP eligibility to affirm dual enrollment opportunities for students in community schools, juvenile court schools, and adult education programs. And it’s now clear that county offices of education can enter into CCAP agreements starting in January.
- The GSP program will also require K-12/community college partnerships to partner with community-based organizations, local government, and employers to support students in work-based learning, including career awareness, networking and paid internship opportunities and include at least 12 units of college credit for high school students.