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Joyce Foundation Commits $4 Million for Career Pathways

The Joyce Foundation will distribute $3 million in grants over the next two years to advance college and career pathways, structured approaches that link high school to postsecondary education and training.

Typically, a pathways program will combine rigorous academics with career-based learning and real-world experience.

Four communities in the Great Lakes region will form a new regional partnership, the Great Lakes College and Career Pathways Partnership, aimed at expanding high-quality college and career pathways. The communities are Rockford, IL; Columbus, OH; Madison, WI; and Districts 211 and 214 and Harper College in the northwest suburbs of Chicago.

Each of those communities will receive $400,000 over the next two years and technical support from national leaders in the field.

In additional, three other pathways programs will share an additional $1.4 million in grants: Partnership ConnectEd: The California Center for College and Career in Berkeley, CA; Jobs for the Future in Boston; and the Education Systems Center of Northern Illinois University in Chicago.

"College and career pathways transform high school by making the experience far more relevant for students and helping to ensure lasting success in education, careers and life," said Joyce Foundation Vice President for Strategy and Programs Beth Swanson, "and they turn out more knowledgeable and skilled workers to fuel regional economies."

The communities and programs were chosen for demonstrating committed leadership and strong connections across K-12 and postsecondary schools to support college and career readiness. Other requirements included having a vision for expanding and improving college and career pathways, meeting the needs of students and having supportive, engaged local employers.

Heading up the Great Lakes College and Career Pathways Partnership as executive director will be Jay Steele, former chief academic officer of the Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools.

About the Author

Michael Hart is a Los Angeles-based freelance writer and the former executive editor of THE Journal.

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