2 days ago
$200,000 grant presented to San Joaquin County schools for learning program
( — Three schools in San Joaquin County were presented with $200,000 by San Joaquin A+ to create the Career Connected Learning Integrated Program of Study at their high schools, according to officials.
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The grants were announced during a Tri-County Learning Collaborative workshop last Thursday. Officials said the winning schools were then recognized at last Thursday and Friday's Stockton Ports Games.
Lodi Unified School District and Denair Unified School District will each receive a $100,000 grant.
The grants will allow for the development of a 'Career-Connected Learning' program that officials said consists of everyday classroom learning and hands-on career exploration.
'We really appreciate all the schools who applied to this opportunity and are excited to get to work with those selected to make this grant a reality for students,' shared Kai Kung, CEO of San Joaquin A+. 'At San Joaquin A+, we are focused on ensuring students can do what they love and earn what they need after they leave our public schools in the San Joaquin Valley. We hope to work with these schools to do just that in the coming years.'
According to officials, Career-Connected Learning helps students make real-world connections, gain career exposure and build the critical, technical and soft skills needed for a successful future.
'We are excited for the opportunity to collaborate with San Joaquin A+ and see this grant as the next step in providing students with internship opportunities' said Breanne Aguiar, Principal of Denair High School 'This will allow us to plan and implement changes to our school curriculum at Denair High School, to ensure that students aren't just getting one-off experiences, but that their in-school learning is integrated with the career connected learning they are doing outside of the school.'
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The grant money will be provided within two years and will cover each phase during the school year.
Officials said that year one is the planning year, which ranges from fall 2025 to spring 2026. The phase focuses on dual enrollment program planning and articulation agreements.
The second year is the implementation year, which ranges from fall 2026 to spring 2027. According to officials, dual enrollment implementation is the focus, along with planning and pilots for work-based learning.
The third year is when officials said schools are prepared for the full implementation of dual enrollment courses, along with work-based learning experiences that open the path for internships.
'This grant is about creating a continuum of learning for our students,' said Kara Backman, Senior Director of School Supports and Partnerships for San Joaquin A+. 'The more progress we can make to create great dual enrollment in our schools and align those opportunities with pathways to careers our students are interested in, the more students will be prepared when they leave our schools to navigate school and find a successful career path.'
According to officials, the program can have a significant impact for low-income students, Black and Latino youth and those who are the first generation in their families to attend college.
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