Leaders in business, workforce development, and early childhood, K-12, adult and higher education must work together to improve postsecondary success and to better prepare students, graduates and disconnected youth for relevant careers in the 21st century workforce.

A. Support and drive approaches that integrate challenging academic content with real-world career applications and preparation, such as Linked Learning.

B. Continue to leverage implementation of thematic small schools and personalized learning environments to ensure that all secondary students have access to quality, rigorous and engaging career pathways.

C. Build employer partnerships with L.A. public schools to provide career-relevant curricula, internships, apprenticeships and job shadowing opportunities.

• Raise funds for a scholarship and internship program for students who graduate and are prepared for college.

D. Advocate for the incorporation of 21st Century Skills into California state content standards for all high school students.

E. Continue to implement collaborative strategies between K-12 and post-secondary institutions that help high school students focus on college and career planning before graduation, such as promoting college classroom experience, dual enrollment and development of individual student graduation plans.

F. Provide high school students with an opportunity to begin their college education during the summer immediately following their high school graduation.

G. Support early childhood career development at post-secondary institutions.

• Support the coordination of early childhood course work and credits between higher education institutions to facilitate the continual progress of students pursuing early childhood education careers.

H. Support the Los Angeles Workforce Systems Collaborative in its efforts to:

• Expand co-location of career development/workforce centers on LAUSD and community college campuses to help students better plan for careers.
• Provide both subsidized and non-subsidized employment opportunities to students, especially work-based learning experiences connected to education.
• Expand joint initiatives targeting “disconnected” youth and young adults (those 16–24 years neither in school nor the workforce) to bridge them back into education, training and/or work and careers.

I. Support the recommendations of the L.A. Workforce Systems Collaborative Ad Hoc Committee on Adult Education that will work to provide a clear pathway to college and careers for all adult education and career/technical students by:

• Aligning all educational programs offered by LAUSD Adult Education Division, Regional Occupational Centers and Programs (ROCP), and local area community colleges.
• Supporting increased, shared professional development activities for faculty and administrators in the LAUSD Adult Education Division, ROCP, local area community colleges and other institutions of higher education.