Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) is a program targeting underserved students in middle and high school who have the potential to succeed in college preparatory classes with additional support. The AVID class provides tutoring, study skill and writing sessions that students need to prepare themselves for college level work. In addition, through field trips and guest speakers, the AVID elective exposes students to colleges, business and culture.

Afterschool.gov is a clearinghouse for federal resources that supports children and youth during out-of-school hours.

Apprenticeship Programs consist of paid on-the job training supplemented by classroom instruction typically lasting for three to five years. Pre-apprenticeship programs are available to introduce youth to opportunities. Resources and information on apprenticeship programs is available at the California Apprenticeship Programs.

Before/After School Learning and Safe Neighborhoods is a program that offers educational and cultural enrichment activities to at risk youth on school days. The programs run for up to an hour and half before school and three hours after school. Funds are awarded to qualifying schools (or local education agencies) in collaboration with community groups that can demonstrate need through a yearly competitive grant process. Programs are funded on an attendance basis and matching funds are required.

California Career Pathways Consortium provides technical assistance and resources for career pathways in agriculture, business, engineering technology, health careers, home economics careers and technology, and industrial and technology.

Carl D. Perkins Vocational-Technical Education Act (VTEA 98) (P.L. 105-332) was signed into law on October 31, 1998 and became effective on July 1, 1999. It's purpose is to improve vocational and technical education programs. The primary focus is to develop challenging academic standards and promote the development of activities that integrate academic and vocational/technical instruction, including the development of "coherent sequences of courses" with "capstone courses" that enable students to demonstrate their skill attainment. Perkins funds are allocated by formula to all secondary districts in the state under Title I, Section 131 of the Perkins Act.

California Department of Education’s Challenge School District Reform Initiative was designed to increase student success by setting uniform content standards. Challenge standards are supplemental to existing California State Board of Education content standards.

California Partnership Academies are state funded academies embedded within a larger schools that are centered around a career theme.

California School-to-Career supports reforms in the educational system that include the integration of school-based and work-based learning, the use of contextual, applied teaching strategies, and the opportunity for students to choose career-related coursework and workplace experiences, with equal access for all students. Links to STC Clearinghouse featuring resources and "best practices", and to all STC Local Partnerships. (See also separate listing for all STC Local Partnerships in the Organizations Resource List, California Local School-to-Career Partnerships)

Charter Schools are public schools organized by a group of teachers, parents and community leaders or a community-based organization. The existing local public school board or county board of education authorizes and approves the agreement or charter that defines the charter school's mission and goals.

Top of Page

Cooperative Work Experience Education is administered by ROP/Cs authorized by the California Education Code. Community colleges also operate cooperative education programs. Additional resources and information are available at the CalWork Place, California Community Colleges Cooperative Work Experience Education, CDE Work Experience Education and ROP/C websites.

Digital High School provides funds with the goal of providing internet connectivity to every classroom and enhances learning and teaching through the integration of technology by funds to install and support technology in high schools. Funding is provided through a one-time installation grant of $300 per student. At the satisfactory completion of an installation grant a school becomes eligible in the second year for a Technology Support and Staff Training. Grant.

Early College High School Initiative created small high schools from which students leave with a two-year Associate of Arts degree or sufficient college credits to enter a four-year, liberal arts program as a sophomore or junior. With about 400 students each, Early College High Schools improve the transition to higher education by abolishing the physical transition between high school and college. Students do their college work within the same small school in which they do high school work.

Eisenhower Professional Development Program funds the Eisenhower National Clearing House. The clearing house has resources, curriculum and professional development materials focusing on math and science.

Empowerment Zones and Enterprise Communities (EZ/EC) are designated by the Department of Housing and Urban Development through a competitive process. EZ/EC designated communities are eligible for federal grant and tax incentives that create partnerships with government and business to develop new business and create jobs, housing and new education and healthcare opportunities within their communities. Resources and information on EzEC’s is available at the Rural Empowerment Zones and Enterprise Communities and Urban Rural Empowerment Zones and Enterprise Communities websites.

Even Start Family Literacy Programs integrate early childhood education, adult literacy, adult basic education, and parenting education. This federally-funded, state-administered program awards competitive grants to local educational agencies in partnership with community-based organizations. Grants are awarded for four years contingent on performance, and range from $75,000 - $300,000 per year. Information on Even Start is available at the California Even Start Family Literacy Programs, Federal Compensatory Education and Title 1 Even Start and National Even Start Association websites.

Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) is a federally funded, state-administered college awareness program targeting middle school students. GEAR UP focuses on college options, entrance requirements and financial aid options. In addition, scholarships in the amount of $2,000 per students are awarded based on financial need and academic success.

Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) is administered by the state to local education agencies through a yearly application process. The program targets students capable of achieving significantly beyond the level of their peers by providing a challenging curriculum and instruction in a supplemental differentiated program.

Healthy Start is a state funded program that offers planning and implementation grants to local educational agencies and community partners. The grants are designed to improve the lives of children and their families by offering culturally appropriate, integrated, accessible, strengths-based educational, health, mental health, social and other supports and services. Healthy Start programs in some schools help support career exploration and related activities.

Juvenile Mentoring Program (JUMP) supports one-to-one mentoring projects for youth at risk of failing in school, dropping out of school, or becoming involved in delinquent behavior, including gang activity and substance abuse.

Top of Page

Magnet schools are intended to desegregate public schools by the elimination, reduction and prevention of minority group isolation in public elementary and secondary schools. Magnet Schools Assistance Program is a federally funded program available to local educational agencies to develop/implement magnet schools that offer challenging content with academic achievement standards for all students. Resources and information on Magnet Schools is available at the Magnet Schools of America and DOE Magnet Schools Assistance websites. Some Magnet Schools have career related themes

New American High Schools are schools where all students are expected to meet both challenging academic standards and acquire the communication, problem solving, computer and technical skills necessary to pursue college and careers. Resources and information on New American High Schools is available at California’s New American High Schools and DOE New American High School websites.

New Urban High Schools was a program of the US Department of Vocational and Adult Education and the Big Picture Company.

One-Stop Career Centers. Information is avaliable at California WorkNet. One-Stops coordinate employment and training services to their communities. They are avalaible to youth for career exploration and job searches as well as assistance with resumes and other pre-employment skills.

Regional Occupational Centers/Programs (ROC/Ps) are funded with state and federal funds. They provide career technical training to students and adults 16 years and older. Resources and information on ROC/Ps is available at California Association of Regional Occupational Centers and Programs and CDE Regional Occupational Centers and Programs websites.

Regional Workforce Preparation and Economic Development Act (RWPEDA)
information is available at California's Regional Workforce Preparation and Economic Development.

School Nutrition Programs information is available at the Nutrition Services Division of the CDE and provides comprehensive nutrition information and educational programs.

Smaller Learning Communities is a federally funded program that creates small sub schools within large high schools.

Specialized Secondary Programs (SSP) supports programs that provide students with advanced learning opportunities in a variety of subjects. Although these programs retain a core course work element within the approved curriculum, they may specialize in such areas as English-language arts, mathematics, science, history and social science, foreign language, and the visual performing arts. Career/technical skills should be woven into the programs as well as opportunities for students to work alongside people in the community through job shadowing, internships, service-learning. The acquisition of technology skills and their use as a tool for instruction and learning is also emphasized in these programs.

Studentjobs.gov is a federal website that lists job openings and resources for students 16 years and over in high school or post-secondary school, seeking federal jobs.

Tech Prep is the name given to programs that offer at least four years of sequential course work at the secondary and postsecondary levels to prepare students for technical careers. Programs typically begin in eleventh grade and result in an award of an associate's degree or certificate after two years of post secondary training. Resources and Information on Tech Prep is available at CDE Tech Prep and USDE Tech Prep websites.

Tenth Grade Counseling Program was enacted in 1983 to provide state funding for all students to receive academic progress reports and counseling regarding educational options by the end of the tenth grade. Districts receive funding on a formula basis of $23.85 per student. Information on Tenth Grade Counseling is available at CDE Counseling and Student Support Services website.

Transition Partnership Program are designed to tranisition sudents in special education to college and careers. CalSTAT is a state funded project through the California Department of Education’s Special Education Division. It was developed to support the collaboration between general education and special education and is a resource to parents and teachers.

21st Century Community Learning Centers is a federally funded program that is now administered at the state level. 21st Century funds before and after school programs. Information on 21st Century is available at CDE 21st Century Community Learning Centers and DOE 21st Century Community Learning Centers websites.

Welfare-to-Work/Welfare Reform Programs information and resources for Welfare-to-Work is available at CALWORKS.

Workforce Investment Act (WIA) information is available at California Workforce Investment Board.

Work Experience Education information is available at CDE Work Experience Education. Work Experience programs serve as a vehicle for students to participate in work-based learning.

Workability is the cooperative effort of the Employment Development Agency, State Department of Rehabilitation and California Department of Education to place young adults with disabilities into the workforce.

Top of Page