Illinois Pathways and STEM Learning Exchanges

2

Illinois Pathways: Building Blocks

• Built from longstanding state strengths:o Agricultural education modelo CTE Programs of Study

• Race to the Top as an accelerant 2011 Illinois Pathways Intergovernmental Agreement

• 60% by 2025

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Illinois Pathways Vision Statement

• Statewide, public-private education and economic development initiative designed to meet two twin goals:1. Provide students with skills and experience that will

prepare them for success in college and careers

2. Spur community economic development by fostering a homegrown talent pipeline in critical industries

4

Illinois Pathways Strategies

• Support local career pathway systems development that empower students to explore their academic and career interests in STEM fields.

• Launch new statewide, public-private partnerships known as STEM Learning Exchanges that better coordinate investments, resources and planning.

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Illinois Pathways – Focus Areas

Builds off of the National Career Cluster Framework and supports career pathway systems in eight STEM application areas:

Business

Program

School

Historic Funding & Support ModelOne – Off System

= Funding & Technical Assistance

State Government (Economic Dev. Agency)

Federal Government

Philanthropy

State Government (Education Agency)

Employer Associations

School

School

School

School

School

School

School

School

School

School

School

School

School Program

Program

Program

ProgramProgram

Program

Illinois Pathways Interagency Committee:

DCEOIDESISBEICCBIBHEISAC

Illinois Pathways Advisory Council:

• State agencies, business, Learning Exchanges, local representatives

AFNR Learning Exchange

Non-sector Based Supports:• Pathways Resource Center (HS & CC)• 60 x 2025 Network (Regions)

Illinois Pathways

Governance Model

IT Learning Exchange

FIN Learning Exchange

MFG Learning Exchange

TDL Learning Exchange

R&D Learning Exchange

EGY Learning Exchange

HS Learning Exchange

1. RTTT3 School Districts: 25 school districts implementing at least two career pathways in prioritized sectors

2. Pathways to Prosperity Network: Chicago, Aurora, East St. Louis, Peoria

3. 60 x 2025 Network Communities: Cross-sector; aligning pathways with collective impact processes

Regional Focus for Implementation

• One of the key strategies for achieving the state’s 60% by 2025 goal

• “Career” portion of State’s college and career readiness agenda

• Other State policy impacts:

School funding reform: Additional weighting for “career pathway completers”

Higher Ed: Guided Pathways to Success

Department of Employment Security: Funding for regional career development strategy support

Adult Ed & Workforce Development: Alignment with and incorporation into ICCB adult education and DCEO/DOL grants

Next Fiscal Year: Learning Exchanges line item and Regional RFP Funding

Illinois Pathways Policy Impacts

• The STEM Learning Exchanges are a key strategy of the Illinois Pathways approach

1. Advise communities on career pathway system structure and best practices in a particular sector

2. Deliver high quality curricular and professional development resources3. Expand access to real world challenges and work-based learning

STEM Learning Exchanges

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Illinois Pathways – Learning Exchange Members

• Employers and employer-led organizations • Labor unions• Professional associations• Secondary and postsecondary teachers and faculty• Students and student organizations• Community colleges and universities

Who makes up a STEM Learning Exchange?

• School districts and regional • Economic and workforce agencies• STEM education experts• Federal labs and research centers• Local workforce investment boards• Museums and non-profit organizations• Community-based organizations

Organized and coordinated by an industry-supported lead entity

Health Sciences IT Manufacturing R&D• Building scalable

model for Health Informatics pathways, with embedded AHIMA certifications

• Developing IT WBL model in 5 CPS IT STEM academies, including 1-to-1 mentors, project-based learning, internships, & SBE

• Expanded MSSC Cert. Prod. Tech. assessment centers from 2 to 40, # of authorized instructors from 4 to 97, and # of certs earned from 53 to 879

• Corporate & research university partners sponsoring R&D student challenges & using online mentor tool for student R&D projects

Learning Exchange Efforts Addressing Employer Needs & WBL

Questions or More Information

www.ilpathways.com

ioer.ilsharedlearning.org

Jonathan Furr

jfurr@niu.edu