Yesterday, Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg announced he has secured $250 million in funding for a Career Pathways Trust program to give more California students the opportunity to apply classroom academics to specific careers of interest. The one-time competitive grant funding is part of the 2014-15 State Budget agreement among the Senate, Assembly and the Governor’s office.

“The needs are obvious, and more than $700 million in initial applications shows the incredible demand to reform our students’ education to combine academic rigor with application to careers,” said Steinberg. “We can no longer afford a one-size-fits-all education system. We can no longer afford to separate academics from how they apply to the real world. To be competitive, our high school kids have to be ready for both further education and the demands of the workforce.”

This second round of an additional $250 million investment in our students will continue to focus on programs where secondary schools, community colleges and industry coordinate partnerships to help develop academic curriculum around specific career fields. The programs also include work experience opportunities for students through internships and apprenticeships.

The Career Pathways Trust provides seed funding to connect schools, community colleges and businesses in partnerships to create pathway programs that feature relevant curriculum and work-based learning opportunities, such as internships for students and externships for teachers.