Illinois Pathways, funded through Race to the Top, is a new and innovative State of Illinois‐led STEM education initiative designed to support college and career readiness for all students.  Through partnership between the State of Illinois' education and economic development agencies, Illinois Pathways supports local programs that empower students to explore their academic and career interests.  It is also creating new statewide, public‐private partnerships known as Learning Exchanges that better coordinate investments, resources and planning for those programs.   

 Why Illinois Pathways?  

As Illinois' economy continues to recover it is critically important to understand how our economy is both growing and changing.  More importantly, we need to make sure our education system is supporting students in developing the skills and knowledge that will ensure they are competitive in a 21st century economy.  We know that the majority of job opportunities in the future will require some level of college education or training.  As part of this effort, the State of Illinois' P‐20 Council has established a goal to increase the proportion of Illinoisans with high‐quality degrees and credentials from 44 percent to 60 percent by the year 2025. 

 Illinois Pathways proposes a new and innovative approach to increasing credential attainment by supporting two strategies: 

 1. Better support local schools, postsecondary institutions,  and programs 

to enable learners to explore their academic and career interests in STEM fields; and 

2. Improve coordination of public and private investment, including business and industry, in supporting the development of a workforce that can be competitive in tomorrow's economy. 

Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Illinois State Board of Education  Illinois Community College Board Illinois Board of Higher Education Illinois Student Assistance Commission Illinois Department of Employment Security 

Empowering Learners to Explore their Academic and Career Interests through Local P‐20 STEM Programs of Study  P‐20 STEM Programs of Study are organized around a career cluster and feature a series of orientation and advanced pathway courses‐‐including early college‐‐across education institutions that are accompanied by opportunities for students to enrich their learning through work‐based learning experiences as well as demonstrate their understanding through assessments and industry credentialing opportunities.  Originally developed and implemented as part of Career and Technical Education, P‐20 STEM Programs of Study serve as a model for bridging programs across P‐20 education institutions and are demonstrated to improve academic achievement, increase graduation rates, and improve transitions to postsecondary education and employment.  Also, P‐20 STEM Programs of Study are designed to improve access and success for underrepresented populations in STEM fields, such as women, minorities, low‐income, and disabled students.       Aligned to the National Career Cluster Framework, P‐20 STEM Programs of Study enable the State's education institutions to align their curriculum, assessments and career counseling with the State's growing economic development sectors thereby ensuring successful transitions to employment and a stronger economy for Illinois.     Supporting Local P‐20 STEM Programs of Study through Statewide Learning Exchanges  STEM Learning Exchanges are a new, innovative public‐private education partnership that is organized to support local implementation of P‐20 STEM Programs of Study by coordinating and reducing the transaction cost among statewide networks of education partners, businesses, industry associations, labor organizations, and other organizations.  Learning Exchanges are organized by career cluster and work to coordinate planning and investment, aggregate resources, and review talent supply‐chain performance.          Learning Exchanges provide a new infrastructure by voluntary association that help coordinate investments at a statewide level to better connect and serve local programs in a similar career cluster while also tracking local and statewide performance. Each sector‐based Learning Exchange is governed by a consortia of education, business and community partners with a specific entity serving as a fiscal agent to receive public investment.  Learning Exchanges are required to have a state‐approved strategic plan and have a state designation, but they operate as independent, voluntary public‐private networks.  

   

September 20, 2013 

Illinois Pathways, funded through Race to the Top, is a new and innovative State of Illinois‐led STEM education initiative designed to support college and career readiness for all students.  Through partnership between the State of Illinois' education and economic development agencies, Illinois Pathways supports local programs that empower students to explore their academic and career interests.  It is also creating new statewide, public‐private partnerships known as Learning Exchanges that better coordinate investments, resources and planning for those programs.   

 Why Illinois Pathways?  

As Illinois' economy continues to recover it is critically important to understand how our economy is both growing and changing.  More importantly, we need to make sure our education system is supporting students in developing the skills and knowledge that will ensure they are competitive in a 21st century economy.  As part of this effort, the State of Illinois' P‐20 Council has established a goal to increase the proportion of Illinoisans with high‐quality degrees and credentials from 44 percent to 60 percent by the year 2025. 

 

What is a STEM Learning Exchange?  

STEM Learning Exchanges are a new and innovative network of statewide public‐private partnerships organized by career cluster that work to coordinate planning and investment and reduce the transaction cost between partners to support local P‐20 STEM programs.  Each STEM Learning Exchange is governed by a consortium of education partners, businesses, industry associations, and other stakeholders that coordinate programs, partnerships, and investments across nine defined functions. 

Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Illinois State Board of Education  Illinois Community College Board Illinois Board of Higher Education Illinois Student Assistance Commission Illinois Department of Employment Security 

Nine Functions of a STEM Learning Exchange 

1. Provide Curriculum Resources  6.   Provide Professional Development 2. Expand Access to Equipment   7.   Provide Career Development 3. Support Peer‐to‐Peer Networks  8.   Review Program of Study Model 4. Provide Work‐Based Learning  9.   Review P‐20 Pipeline Performance  5. Sponsor Challenges 

 

 Value Proposition for P‐20 Education, Workforce, and Business Partners  

1) Reduce Transaction Cost between Public‐Private Partners STEM Learning Exchanges serve as a common platform that can achieve economies  of scale by improving the process of identifying and connecting with statewide  public‐private partners and peer‐to‐peer networks across the nine functions.  

2) Increase Alignment of Existing Investments while Promoting Brand Work in coordination with other career cluster partners to comprehensively  support  a talent pipeline by aligning existing investments and identifying  new program or resource opportunities, all while maintaining unique branding.      

3) Increase Access to Curricular and Instructional Supports Utilize a common platform, partners can aggregate resources to support   statewide program delivery networks while leveraging economies of scale. 

 4) Improve Talent Pipelines and College and Career Planning Systems 

Involve public‐private partners to co‐engineer statewide STEM program models ensuring  college and career readiness (e.g. standards, courses, credentialing, work‐based learning, credit articulation, etc...) as well as P‐20 education and workforce alignment. 

 5) Review Data for Continuous Improvement and Return on Investment 

Review talent pipeline performance by aggregating the impact of statewide programs and resources through linked education and workforce data that demonstrates a return on investment, and informs future planning and continuous improvement. 

  

     September 20, 2013 

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Learning Exchanges

The State of Illinois' P-20 Council has set a goal to increase the proportion of Illinoisans with high-quality degrees and credentials from 44 percent to 60 percent by the year 2025. By 2018 Illinois employers will offer over 319,000 jobs requiring education and training in STEM, increasing nearly 20 percent since 2008. According to Georgetown University, Center on Education and the Workforce, over 90 percent of those STEM occupations will require postsecondary education or training. To grow the economy and maintain its competitiveness, preparing students for STEM careers is essential.

Illinois Pathways is a new and innovative State of Illinois-led STEM initiative designed to support college and career readiness for learners and better prepare youth and adults for transitions into employment. Implementation is coordinated through the State of Illinois' education, workforce, and economic development agencies to support:

Local STEM programs that empower students to explore academic and career interests, develop skills, access employment, and grow in careers.

STEM Learning Exchanges that coordinate investments, resources, and planning among employers and education partners across P-20 education and workforce systems.

February 19, 2015

STEM Learning Exchanges have been formed for selected career clusters to improve the coordination and delivery of resources, work-based learning opportunities, career guidance, and partnerships that support local STEM programs. Each STEM Learning Exchange is overseen by a lead organization responsible for coordinating a statewide network of businesses, employer associations, education, and other partners. STEM Learning Exchanges are being launched using Race to the Top funds, but are supported by funding commitments from public-private partners. Seven of the STEM Learning Exchanges will be provided with implementation funds for three years to begin coordinating and delivering support for their career cluster. An additional one STEM Learning Exchange will be provided with planning funds for one year to build their network and further develop capacity for implementation.

Illinois Pathways STEM Learning Exchanges

Illinois Foundation for Future Farmers of America

Jess Smithers / 217‐893‐0091 / jsmithers@agriculturaleducation.org

Illinois State University David Loomis / 309-438-7979 / dloomis@ilstu.edu

Econ Illinois Beth B. Metzler / 815-753-6930 / bmetzler@niu.edu University of Illinois at Chicago

Dr. Bruce C. Neimeyer / 312-996‐8820 / neimeyer@uic.edu CompTIA Workforce Development LLC Gretchen Koch / 630-678-8425 / gkoch@comptia.org Illinois Manufacturers Association (IMA) Education Foundation Jim Nelson / 217-522-1240 ext. 4211 / jnelson@ima-net.org Illinois Science and Technology Institute Allie Scully Barwise / 312-239-0325 / info@istcoalition.org

Illinois Manufacturers Association (IMA) Education Foundation

Jim Nelson / 217-522-1240 ext. 4211 / jnelson@ima-net.org

Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Illinois State Board of Education Illinois Community College Board Illinois Board of Higher Education Illinois Student Assistance Commission Illinois Department of Employment Security

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Learning Exchange Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources (AFNR) Cluster includes: development, production, processing, and distribution of agricultural commodities and resources including food, fiber, wood products, natural resources, horticulture, and other plant and animal products/resources. The agribusiness industry plays a vital role in both the state and national economies, and our daily lives. It supplies us and many other countries with a wide variety of food products and non-food products such as fibers, lumber, and recreation. It contributes positively to our foreign trade balance and is one of the states’ and Nations’ larger industries in terms of total employment.

Career Pathways

Agricultural Science

Agricultural Business & Management

Agriculture Mechanics & Technology

Horticulture

Natural Resources Conservation Management

Highlights

The agribusiness industry in Illinois, comprising over 75 percent of the state's total land area, employs over 163,000 workers and contributes $13.5 billion to the state’s economy.

Illinois is a leading national producer of soybeans, corn, and swine. The state's climate and soil types also enable farmers to grow and raise many other agriculture commodities including cattle, wheat, oats, sorghum, hay, sheep, and poultry.

Overall employment in agribusiness, food and natural resources is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all industries in Illinois.

January 24, 2014

STEM Learning Exchanges have been formed for selected career clusters to improve the coordination and delivery of resources, work-based learning opportunities, career guidance, and partnerships that support local STEM programs. Illinois Pathways is supporting the launch of new and innovative public-private partnerships known as STEM Learning Exchanges. A separate Learning Exchange will be launched in each of the identified STEM areas and will have a lead entity that coordinates a statewide network of businesses, employer associations, education partners, and other stakeholders. These networks will be launched using Race to the Top funding, but will be supported by investments and commitments from public-private partners. The AFNR STEM Learning Exchange will be provided with implementation funds for three years to begin coordinating and delivering support for their career cluster.

AFNR STEM Learning Exchange Implementation Lead Organization: Illinois Foundation FFA Jess Smithers / 217‐893‐0091 / jsmithers@agriculturaleducation.org

The Illinois Foundation FFA is a nonprofit organization with a long history of supporting educators and students participating with AFNR programs. It provides financial support for the total FFA program in Illinois and is supported by their Board of Trustees composed of a wide-range of public-private representative involved in agricultural education across the state.

The AFNR STEM Learning Exchange will expand upon a quarter century of partnerships to advance agricultural education in Illinois. This Exchange will provide expansive curriculum resources, provide incentive funding for local programs, build partnerships with industries for students to address real-world challenges, and provide expansive professional development opportunities for teachers and administrators. FFA is leveraging over $3.2 million in contributions and will draw from the work of multiple partners to carry out the activities of the Exchange. Examples of its partnerships include:

Illinois Agri-women initiatives to promote non-traditional agricultural STEM careers for women.

Illinois American Water has committed $261,500 of in-kind support for activities such as the

creation of a “water testing lab” where students can engage in hands-on learning relating to

water stewardship in agriculture.

Corporate partners such as Growmark, Pioneer, ADM, Farm Credit Services and John Deere are committed to funding scholarships and providing opportunities for internships.

* All applications for lead organizations are subject to change pending negotiations with the Illinois State Board of Education.

Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Illinois State Board of Education Illinois Community College Board Illinois Board of Higher Education Illinois Student Assistance Commission Illinois Department of Employment Security

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Learning Exchange

The Energy Cluster includes: developing, planning and managing the production of energy including renewable energy and clean coal technology and its distribution through smart grid technologies. The energy sector in Illinois is focused on processes and technologies that improve energy supply and efficiency and reduce the environmental impacts associated with development of energy resource; utilization of energy resources, or energy infrastructure. Emerging energy industries include: energy Infrastructure, advanced battery storage, biofuels, clean coal energy, geothermal, hydro, natural gas, nuclear, smart grid, solar, wind, building energy efficiency, transportation energy efficiency, energy-related manufacturing.

Career Pathways

Energy Management

Energy Engineering

Building Energy Efficiency

Transportation Energy Efficiency Energy Research & Development Energy-Related Manufacturing

Highlights

The relative cost of traditional petroleum-based energy resources as well as government action will be a key factor in the growth of employment opportunities in the energy sector.

Construction-related occupations in the energy sector will produce the most annual job openings due to replacement needs.

Traditional occupational categories in transportation and manufacturing will also produce many of the projected annual job openings in these sectors due to replacement needs.

December 12, 2014

Energy-related Manufacturing STEM Learning Exchanges have been formed for selected career clusters to improve the coordination and delivery of resources, work-based learning opportunities, career guidance, and partnerships that support local STEM programs. Illinois Pathways is supporting the launch of new and innovative public-private partnerships known as STEM Learning Exchanges. A separate Learning Exchange will be launched in each of the identified STEM areas and will have a lead entity that coordinates a statewide network of businesses, employer associations, education partners, and other stakeholders. These networks will be launched using Race to the Top funding, but will be supported by investments and commitments from public-private partners. The Energy STEM Learning Exchange will be provided with implementation funds for three years to build their network and further develop capacity for implementation.

Energy STEM Learning Exchange Implementation Lead Organization: Illinois State University David Loomis / 309-438-7979 / dloomis@ilstu.edu

Illinois State University is at the forefront of a variety of industries related to renewable/clean energy technologies. Many of the resources available to Illinois State University will inform the work of the STEM Learning Exchange, including the Institute for Regulatory Policy Studies (IRPS), the Center for Renewable Energy and the Center for Mathematics, Science, and Technology (CeMaST). In addition, Illinois State University networks statewide with a broad range of both public and private partners in the energy sector to promote STEM learning, teaching and excellence that links to energy careers. The Energy STEM Learning Exchange will support an increased presence of energy-related material and partnerships in K-12 and postsecondary education that will result in increased awareness and conceptual understanding of critical energy concepts, a more educated public that is better able to make difficult energy-related decisions, increased college readiness, and a more capable energy industry workforce in the years ahead.

Matching contributions from Illinois State University will support the planning activities over the course of the next year.

* All applications for lead organizations are subject to change pending negotiations with the Illinois State Board of Education.

Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Illinois State Board of Education Illinois Community College Board Illinois Board of Higher Education Illinois Student Assistance Commission Illinois Department of Employment Security

Visit: http://econed-il.org/ February 18, 2015

IL Pathways:

The Illinois STEM Finance Learning

Exchange

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Learning Exchange

STEM Learning Exchanges have been formed for selected career clusters to improve the coordination and delivery of resources, work-based learning opportunities, career guidance, and partnerships that support local STEM programs. The Finance Career Cluster includes: Accounting, Banking & Financial Services, Economics, Finance, Insurance & Risk Management, Property & Real Estate Management, and Securities & Investments.

The finance sector in Illinois is comprised of a set of institutions, instruments, and the regulatory framework that permit transactions to be made by extending credit and incurring and settling debts. Broadly understood, the financial sector encompasses banks, insurance companies, real estate, and organizations that manage securities, commodities and other investments.

Career Pathways

Accounting Banking & Financial Services Economics Finance Insurance & Risk Management Property & Real Estate Management Securities & Investment

Why consider a finance-related pathway of study?

In banking and related services, office and administrative support workers constitute 64 percent of all jobs. Employment is projected to grow at about the state average thru 2018.

As the population ages, sales will increase for health and long-term care insurance as well as annuities and other pension products.

In securities and investment, employment growth is expected due to increasing investment and a growing need for investment consulting.

The Finance Learning Exchange will provide curricular and other resources to support the selection of careers in finance and the preparation of high school students as they transition to post-secondary institutions and careers. Key functions that we are working to support:

e-learning curriculum resources access to classroom & lab space, equipment, etc. student organizations & activities

internships, adult mentoring, & work-based learning opportunities student challenges & project management resources professional development resources for educators/guidance STEM career development & outreach resources customized high school education plans for transitions to post-secondary academic and training programs

The STEM Finance Learning Exchange

Finance-related Career Clusters & examples of jobs available: Accounting - Auditors, Bank Examiners, Tax Professionals, Banking Officers, Disbursement Directors at Educational

Institutions and large Businesses, Actuaries

Banking & Financial Services - Loan/Mortgage Officers, Trust Officers, Bank Examiners, Banking Officers,

Financial Services of many levels at most Businesses

Economics - Federal Reserve System, Banking, Politics, Teaching, Banking Officers, Government Positions, Management

Finance - Investment Services for Municipalities and Businesses, Investment and Retirement Planning,

Government Positions - Federal Reserve System, Politics

Insurance & Risk Management - Actuaries, Sales Professionals, Financial Services of many levels

Property & Real Estate Management - Securities & Investment Professionals, City Officials, Accountants, Financial

Services

Securities & Investment – Stock Brokers, Security Exchange Commission and other regulatory Organizations, Actuaries,

Finance Professionals, Data Analysts, Financial Services

Engagement opportunities currently available for schools:

Teacher, Administrator and Guidance Counselor presentations Student presentations Student field trips to industry sites Finance industry speakers in the classroom Curriculum resources and customized professional development Financial literacy resources

Finance-related resources are available and continue to be expanded while new resources and opportunities are being developed for all stakeholders (students, teachers, school administrators, parents, and industry professionals).

Illinois Pathways: www.ilpathways.com Illinois Open Educational Resources: ioer.ilsharedlearning.org/Library/214/Finance_Learning_Exchange_Library Econ Illinois: www.econed-il.org Illinois workNet: www2.illinoisworknet.com P-20 Council: www2.illinois.gov/gov/P20 Illinois Jump$tart: www.illinoisjumpstart.org College and Career Readiness: www.isbe.net/career 60 x 2025: www.isac.org/home/isac-big-goal.html Illinois Community College Board: www.iccb.org Education for Employment (EFE) Regional Delivery Systems: www.isbe.net/career/ Des Plaines Valley Regional EFE System: www.dvr-efe.info College Countdown: www.collegecountdown.com/why-college-countdown.html

Why Econ Illinois as the lead entity to coordinate the Finance Learning Exchange?

Econ Illinois is the premier provider of economic education programs for K-12 schools throughout the state with over 65 years of experience in providing teacher professional development in basic economics, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship education. Econ Illinois' programs, delivered through university-based Centers for Economic Education, help schools integrate the teaching of economics across all grade levels, developing a comprehensive and sequential curriculum for economics and personal finance.

A partnership of leaders from business, labor, agriculture, education, and government, Econ Illinois is dedicated to increasing economic literacy and critical thinking skills in Illinois. An affiliate of the National Council for Economic Education, Econ Illinois is the oldest continuously active state council in the national network impacting nearly 180,000 students each year.

Finance STEM Learning Exchange Lead Organization: Econ Illinois, Northern Illinois University Contact Information: Beth B. Metzler / 815-753-6930 / bmetzler@niu.edu

The Health Science Learning Exchange (HSLE) will prepare students for the many opportunities awaiting them in college and careers in health care, mental health, biomedical research, informatics/health information technologies, and elder care. The HSLE, part of the Illinois Pathways Initiative, supports school districts, community colleges and universities, and employers to build local career pathways that help learners explore their academic and career interests in the health sciences. How can we help you?

How do you find the qualified graduates ready to fill critical positions in your field? Do you want to have a say in the need for changes in curricula and standards and directly connect with students eager to learn and explore health sciences careers?

Partnering with the HSLE gives you a voice. As a partner, you connect with schools and colleges that can provide you with interns as well as qualified employees. In the highly competitive health sciences field, partnering with the HSLE positions you to help determine the direction of health science curriculum and to connect with schools and colleges in a more meaningful way.

Participation in the Health Science Learning Exchange creates better opportunities for your organization to find qualified employees. Your participation plays a part in ensuring that Illinois prepares and keeps its own future scientists. You raise the level of science literacy at a time when it’s more important than ever for everyone to be better educated about critical environmental and health-related issues. Participation in the HSLE also helps to raise your organization’s public profile, as you join a network of forward-looking institutions which seek to revitalize the economic and scientific future of the State of Illinois.

Student success depends on partnering with education and the private sector, and the HSLE is committed to improving how public and private investment is

coordinated across the health science sector in Illinois. As a partner of the HSLE, your organization has the opportunity to:

• Joinaspeakers’bureauofprofessionalswhoareable to connect with students directly through site visits or video conferences, which enables students and professionals to make real connections;

• Workwithlocalschoolsanddistrictstoensurethatstudents have access to the resources they need to succeed;

• Participateinregionalandstatewidestudentscience competitions;

• Provideinternshipsandjobmentoringwhichpavesthe way for better staffing for your organization in the future;

• Connectwithotherinstitutionswhoarealsosupporting this statewide effort through direct contributions of resources or joint grant opportunities.

“The health care sector continues to expand and there has been increased emphasis on everything from insurance to nutrition, the aging population, and research. As a nation, we need to ensure that there are qualified candidates able to manage all facets of health care including computing professionals, technicians, doctors, nurses, and researchers.”

—HeatherTarczan,UICMedicalDistrictCommission

For Employers

Health Science STEM Learning Exchange Implementation Lead Organization:

BruceC.Neimeyer,PhD, AssociateViceChancellorforSpecialProgramsUniversityofIllinoisatChicago(312) 996-8820neimeyer@uic.edu

Stephanie Osborne, Program Officer UniversityofIllinoisatChicago(312) 355-3147sosborne@uic.edu

Website: HSLE.publish.uic.edu

UnderthedirectionofChancellorPaulaAllen-Meares,UICassumedtheleadroleindevelopinghealthscienceSTEMlearningexchangesinIllinois.STEMlearning exchanges bring together networks of educators, businesses and industry associations to create programs of study, internships, and speakers’ bureaus to educate highly qualified health science professionals.

“UICisoneofthetop200researchuniversities in the world and home to the largest college of medicine in the U.S. Manystartupshavesprungfromourresearch.Withourbroadreachanddeepunderstanding of the health sciences andthemarketplace,UICiswell-suited,and proud, to lead the planning and implementation of the Health Science Learning Exchange for the future of Illinois and its citizens.”

—PaulaAllen-Meares,Chancellor UniversityofIllinoisatChicago

A crisis is looming in the health sciences. By 2020, the number of available health care-related jobs will grow dramatically. As shown in the accompanying chart, the top 10 careers with the highest expected growth fallwithinthehealthsciences.Butemployersask:Willthere be enough qualified workers to fill those jobs? Educators ask: Are students learning what they need to know to fill those positions?

Dramaticchangesinhealthcarereformrevealthreemajor trends which will impact students, education professionals, and health care providers alike:

• Anagingpopulationpresentsthehealthcaresystem with more complex and chronic health needs;

• Patientsarebecomingmoreculturallyandethnically diverse;

Where will the good jobs be when you graduate? How do you prepare yourself for admission to the best research universities and for a rewarding career?

The Health Sciences Learning Exchange is here to make you aware of the wealth of opportunities available to you in medicine, research, home health care, data collection and analysis, and many other fields that are projected to have a shortage of qualified candidates in coming years.

You want to make sure you get the experience you need to gain admission to the college of your choice—not just in the classroom, but through internships and assistantships in the laboratory and in the workplace. Once in college, you want to take the courses and extracurricular activities that employers need.

Whetheryouexpecttobeahealthcareprofessional,researcher, mental health specialist, technician, or home care helper, the HSLE is your starting point. HSLE links your class-time and after-school activities toward exploring careers and college programs in the health sciences. Turn to the HSLE to learn about:

• Researchopportunities.Themostselectiveinstitutions require lab and research experience as well as good grades. The HSLE can point you toward chances for faculty mentorships, work-based learning opportunities, and to gain experience pursuing cutting-edge research.

• Educationstandards.Makesurethecoursesyouare taking now meet the standards that employers are looking for.

• Careers.It’snotjustaboutmedicalschool.Discoverthewiderangeofcareersopentoyouinhealth-related fields that are clamoring for well-qualified employees.

“Students don’t always know about the full menu of careers available to them. Highly selective colleges are looking for students who have research experience. The 21st-century research skills they need to learn—working with teams and collaborative groups, working on problem solving and interdisciplinary problems—are essential.Mostresearchprogramsencouragestudentsto choose a project, and when it is complete, they inevitably say, ‘That was fun.’”

—JudithScheppler,IllinoisMathandScienceAcademy

Are you offering the courses your students need for the many positions available to them in the health sciences? Are you providing them with the equipment they need for lab work and research as well as internships and other learning opportunities?

Collegesandprofessionalschoolsneedtoeducateand train more health science students to enter the health professions. To make this possible, the HSLE supports educators in advancing their own knowledge about the health science fields and current science standards, and to take advantage of their own ongoing professional development opportunities.

For post-secondary education professionals, the HSLE will help their students find employers looking for interns and trainees, and help their graduates connect with employers that are looking for job candidates to fill critical positions in health care, research, mental health, and home health care. For secondary school educators, the HSLE brings you resources such as standards-aligned, high-quality curricula and materials. The HSLE will help both groups:

• Upgradecurricularofferingstogivestudentsthepreparation they need;

• Provideopportunitiesforstudentstolearnaboutallthe health science opportunities available to them;

• Ensurethatstudentshavethelab,research,orwork experience that colleges and employers demand;

• Connectstudentswithrewardinginternshipsandresearch assistantships.

“Wehavestrategicallyredesignedourapproachtohealthsciencescurriculumdevelopment.Werecentlydesigned and implemented a health professions basic certificate program that includes two health carecommoncorecourses,HealthCareerStudiesandPatientCareTechnical.Thesecoursesrepresent the fundamental competencies that we want to teach with all of our health science andcareerprogramstudents.Weallwillneedto continue the development of better and more innovative partnerships towards health professions pathways.Otherwise,Chicagowillnotmovetheneedle towards healthier communities and stronger economies.”

—EbbinDotson,Faculty,MalcolmXCityCollege

• Communitiesandregionswiththehighestneedface severe shortages of primary care physicians, specialists, nurses and acute and emergency care services.

The Health Services Learning Exchange connects three groups with the resources they need:

• Studentsconsideringhealthcareorresearchcareers;

• Schooldistrictsandcollegesneedingtopreparefuture providers;

• Businessesinneedofqualifiedprofessionals.

The HSLE gives each constituency a role in preparing a better future for health care in Illinois.

28.5

40.8 10

0.0

136.

5 198.

6 276.

0

303.

0 371.

0

508.

7

718.

9

43.3 36.4 39.0 22.4 41.3Percent change

Profession

Employment(in thousands)

OccupationalTherapy

Assistants

MedicalScientists

ExceptEpidemiologists

PhysicalTherapists

Medical &HealthService

Managers

MedicalSecretaries

2010

2020

Employment in health-care related fields is expected to grow much faster than average through 2020. Some of the fastest-growing employment areas are shown below.

The Illinois HSLE focuses primarily on delivering resources and supports for local career pathway systems and expanding quality work-based learning opportunities. Learn more at http://www.ilpathways.com/Pages/Nine-Functions-of-Learning-Exchanges.aspx.

For Students For Education Professionals

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Learning Exchange

Information Technology (IT) Career Cluster includes: designing, developing, managing, supporting and integrating hardware and software systems.

The IT sector consists of all organizations primarily engaged in the research, design, implementation and support of digital systems, including both hardware and software that convert, store, organize, protect, transmit, retrieve, share and utilize information. These IT functions may be carried out by businesses and units within government, education and businesses from other sectors such as healthcare, manufacturing, transportation and logistics, and financial.

Career Pathways

Infrastructure, Administration & Operations

Technology & Information Services

IT Research & Development

Integration Services

Highlights

57 percent of STEM jobs in Illinois will be in computer-related occupations by 2018.

Almost all organizations depend on information technology to conduct business and operate efficiently.

Faster than average growth is expected for all the industries within the information technology sector. Almost all of the occupations in this sector require a Bachelor degree or higher and have median annual wage rates double the state’s average wage rate for all occupations.

August 8, 2014

STEM Learning Exchanges have been formed for selected career clusters to improve the coordination and delivery of resources, work-based learning opportunities, career guidance, and partnerships that support local STEM programs. Illinois Pathways is supporting the launch of new and innovative public-private partnerships known as STEM Learning Exchanges. A separate Learning Exchange will be launched in each of the identified STEM areas and will have a lead entity that coordinates a statewide network of businesses, employer associations, education partners, and other stakeholders. These networks will be launched using Race to the Top funding, but will be supported by investments and commitments from public-private partners. The IT STEM Learning Exchange will be provided with implementation funds for three years to begin coordinating and delivering supports for their career cluster.

IT STEM Learning Exchange Implementation Lead Organization:

CompTIA Workforce Development LLC Gretchen Koch / 630-678-8425 / gkoch@comptia.org

CompTIA Workforce Development LLC is a subsidiary of The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA). CompTIA is a not-for-profit trade association representing the international technology community. Members include manufacturers, distributors, resellers, solution providers, Internet Service Providers, software developers, e-commerce, and telecom companies. They also serve as the world’s largest provider of vendor-neutral foundational and professional level IT certifications. The IT STEM Learning Exchange will begin with delivering e-learning curriculum resources and teacher training. In later years, it will expand school district access to computer equipment and resources, support student organizations, administer on-line mentorship programs, and manage 2-3 statewide project-based learning opportunities for middle and high schools. CompTIA has received over $2 million in commitments from its partners to support the activities of the IT STEM Learning Exchange. Examples of these commitments include:

The Illinois Institute of Technology’s School of Applied Technology has donated over $1 million worth of on-line courses, lab time, instructors’ teaching hours, and course seats.

The Illinois Technology Foundation in-kind donation valued at $200,000 will provide lesson plans, access to low-cost computer equipment, creation of high school IT student clubs, development of teacher coaching programs, and guidance counselor training.

Rico Enterprises has made an in-kind donation of $25,000 annually for five years for internships and student mentors.

* All applications for lead organizations are subject to change pending negotiations with the Illinois State Board of Education.

Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Illinois State Board of Education Illinois Community College Board Illinois Board of Higher Education Illinois Student Assistance Commission Illinois Department of Employment Security

Get more information on the Information Technology Learning Exchange website.

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Learning Exchange

Manufacturing Career Cluster includes: product and process development and managing and performing the processing of materials into intermediate or final products and related support activities.

The manufacturing sector comprises establishments engaged in the mechanical, physical, or chemical transformation of materials, substances, or components into new products. Establishments in this sector are often described as plants, factories, or mills. The major manufacturing sectors in Illinois are chemical; pharmaceutical and medicine; computer and electronic products; food; machinery; transportation equipment; printing and steel.

Career Pathways

Manufacturing Production Process Development

Production

Automation

Logistics and Inventory Control

Highlights

The Manufacturing sector is a significant contributor to the Illinois economy and employment picture.

Manufacturing is projected to provide 8.6 percent of the total employment in the state thru 2018.

Many job openings will result from the need to replace experienced manufacturing workers who retire.

Most manufacturing occupations have annual median wage rates higher than the average in other

sectors.

September 20, 2013

STEM Learning Exchanges have been formed for selected career clusters to improve the coordination and delivery of resources, work-based learning opportunities, career guidance, and partnerships that support local STEM programs. Illinois Pathways is supporting the launch of new and innovative public-private partnerships known as STEM Learning Exchanges. A separate Learning Exchange will be launched in each of the identified STEM areas and will have a lead entity that coordinates a statewide network of businesses, employer associations, education partners, and other stakeholders. These networks will be launched using Race to the Top funding, but will be supported by investments and commitments from public-private partners. The Manufacturing STEM Learning Exchange will be provided with implementation funds for three years to begin coordinating and delivering supports for their career cluster.

Manufacturing STEM Learning Exchange Implementation Lead Organization:

Illinois Manufacturers Association Education Foundation Jim Nelson / 217-522-1240, ext. 4211 / jnelson@ima-net.org

The IMA Education Foundation was created to exclusively foster and promote vocational, educational, charitable and scientific interests including activities which foster accountability, freedom of choice, incentives for students and teachers, and excellence in pre-employment education. Its parent organization, the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association, has a long and widely respected history of leadership in advocacy for manufacturers as well as significant experience in the administration of state and federal grants. The Illinois Manufacturers' Association Education Foundation, as the designated lead entity for the Manufacturing STEM Learning Exchange, is in the process of raising $430,000 in matching cash from private sector entities by the end of this calendar year. Committed in-kind contributions, including student internships, are valued at over $200,000. The Manufacturing Learning Exchange will integrate resources from industry, educators, and professional associations to:

Encourage e-learning by establishing a web-based library that will compile learning materials from a

broad variety of national, regional, and local partners.

Use regional networks to expand meaningful internships at local manufacturing plants.

Develop externships for high school and community college teachers to ensure that technologies

and processes being taught in the classroom are those used in manufacturing today.

* All applications for lead organizations are subject to change pending negotiations with the Illinois State Board of Education.

Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Illinois State Board of Education Illinois Community College Board Illinois Board of Higher Education Illinois Student Assistance Commission Illinois Department of Employment Security

The Research and Development (R&D) Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Learning Exchange connects students, teachers, families, universities/colleges, federal laboratories, student organizations, not-for-profit organizations, and private sector employers so that all Illinois students can participate in authentic, high quality, student driven research and development.

Students who participate in these inquiry-based learning experiences build critical thinking skills, learn foundational STEM knowledge, and apply that knowledge to real life circumstance, creating a pipeline of talent for Illinois’ business.

The Illinois Science & Technology Institute was chosen to lead the R&D STEM Learning Exchange as part of Illinois Pathways Race to the Top program. The ISTI is an affiliate of the Illinois Science & Technology Coalition (ISTC), a statewide leader that cultivates and attracts research and technology-based economic development in Illinois.

Engage high school students, especially those from underrepresented groups, in research and development experiences and career exploration.

Increase the number of Illinois students entering and completing postsecondary education in R&D majors.

Reach students, teachers, families, universities and colleges, not-for-profit and entrepreneurial communities, and employers in all geographic areas of the state.

About the R&D STEM Learning Exchange R&D STEM Learning Exchange Initiatives:

Goals of the R&D STEM Learning Exchange

“Our mission is to prepare our students for the 21st Century workforce. These new

Learning Exchanges will provide students with real-world experience and advanced

educational opportunities to ensure they are ready to compete for the jobs of tomorrow”

-Gov. Pat Quinn

• R&D-focused resources and programs

including professional development,

curricula, hands-on learning tools,

internships

• Aligned to Next Generation Science

and Common Core Math Standards

Resource Repositorystemlearningexchange.org

• Electronically links students with

industry & university mentors

• Supports meaningful research

collaboration within mentoring

relationship

Mentor-Matching Engine mentormatchingengine.org

• Connects high school students with

external partners to solve complex

problems

• Integrates real-world context of

STEM concepts into curriculum with

support from STEM professionals and

facilitates student led inquiry

STEM Challenges & Events

• Illinois will demand a 20 percent increase in STEM jobs between 2008 and 2018, according to a Georgetown University’s Center for Education and the Workforce report.

• President Obama’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology concludes that retaining more STEM majors is the lowest-cost, fastest policy option to provide the STEM professionals that the nation needs for economic and societal well-being.

• The President’s Council recommends replacing standard laboratory courses with discovery-based research courses and encouraging partnerships among stakeholders to diversify pathways to STEM careers

Why STEM?

For more information about the

R&D STEM Learning Exchange, including

a list of our partners, please contact Allie

Scully, ascully@istcoalition.org or visit us

at istcoalition.org

Value Added

•R&D-focusedresourcesand servicesincludingprofessional development,curricula,hands-on learningtools,internships

•AlignedtoNextGenerationand CommonCoreStandards

•Standards-alignedlearning experiencesthatfocuson discoveryandcriticalthinking

•Professionaldevelopment focusedoninquiry-based learninganddiscovery

•Improvestalentpipelinein criticalindustrysectors

•Expandsthereachofexisting STEMcontentandbrand

•Makesiteasierforprogramsand programuserstoconnect

•Encouragesinnovationthrough partnership

VALU

E A

DD

EDSTUDENTS SCHOOLS

PARTNERSINDUSTRY

For more information about the R&D STEM Learning Exchange, including a list of ourpartners, please contact Erin Lane elane@istcoalition.org or visit us at istcoalition.org

WHY STEM? •Illinoiswilldemanda20percentincreaseinSTEMjobsbetween2008and2018, accordingtoaGeorgetownUniversity’sCenterforEducationandtheWorkforcereport.

•PresidentObama’sCouncilofAdvisorsonScienceandTechnologyconcludesthat retainingmoreSTEMmajorsisthelowest-cost,fastestpolicyoptiontoprovidetheSTEM professionalsthatthenationneedsforeconomicandsocietalwell-being.

•ThePresident’sCouncilrecommendsreplacingstandardlaboratorycourseswith discovery-basedresearchcoursesandencouragingpartnershipsamongstakeholdersto diversifypathwaystoSTEMcareers

• R&D-focused resources and services including professional development, curricula, hands-on learning tools, internships

• Aligned to Next Generation and Common Core Standards

Students

• Improves talent pipeline in critical industry sectors

• Expands the reach of existing STEM content and brand

Industry

• Standards-aligned learning experiences that focus on discovery and critical thinking

• Professional development focused on inquiry-based learning and discovery

Schools

• Makes it easier for programs and program users to connect

• Encourages innovation through partnership

Partners

20% in STEM jobsFrom 2008-2018 in IL

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Learning Exchange

The Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics (TDL) Career Cluster includes: planning, management and movement of people, materials and goods across all transportation modes as well as maintaining and improving transportation technologies.

TDL often play an unnoticed role in our society. Companies in the transportation industry connect manufacturers with consumers, unite millions of Illinoisans with products, meetings, conventions and family, and make long distances seemingly irrelevant. The transportation industry includes planes, trains, trucks, busses and automobiles delivering passengers and cargo all across the country and internationally.

Career Pathways

Transportation Systems, Infrastructure

Planning, Management and Regulation

Transportation Technology

Automation

Logistics and Transportation Operations

Highlights

Nationally, more than 10 million persons are employed in transportation and related occupations.

In Illinois, through 2018, the TDL industry will generate about 27,200 new jobs. Environmental issues and soaring fuel costs are creating new positions to plan, design, implement,

monitor and control new approaches and equipment for the efficient movement of goods and people. As a result of e-commerce, the warehousing and storage segment of the industry is expected to grow

rapidly, thereby increasing demand for services offered by warehousing centers and logistics firms.

December 12, 2014

STEM Learning Exchanges have been formed for selected career clusters to improve the coordination and delivery of resources, work-based learning opportunities, career guidance, and partnerships that support local STEM programs. Illinois Pathways is supporting the launch of new and innovative public-private partnerships known as STEM Learning Exchanges. A separate Learning Exchange will be launched in each of the identified STEM areas and will have a lead entity that coordinates a statewide network of businesses, employer associations, education partners, and other stakeholders. These networks will be launched using Race to the Top funding, but will be supported by investments and commitments from public-private partners. The TDL STEM Learning Exchange will be provided with implementation funds for three years to build their network and further develop capacity for implementation.

TDL STEM Learning Exchange Implementation Lead Organization:

Illinois Manufacturers' Association (IMA) Education Foundation Jim Nelson / 217-522-1240, ext. 4211 / jnelson@ima-net.org

The IMA Education Foundation was created to exclusively foster and promote vocational, educational, charitable, and scientific interests including activities which foster accountability, freedom of choice, incentives for students and teachers, and excellence in pre-employment education. Its parent organization, the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association, has a long and widely respected history of leadership in advocacy for manufacturers as well as significant experience in the administration of state and federal grants. The Illinois Manufacturers' Association Education Foundation is the designated lead entity for the TDL STEM Learning Exchange. The TDL Learning Exchange will integrate resources from industry, educators, and professional associations to:

Encourage e-learning by establishing a web-based library that will compile learning materials from a broad variety of national, regional, and local partners;

Use regional networks to expand meaningful internships at local transportation and logistics companies; and

Develop externships for high school and community college teachers to ensure that technologies and processes being taught in the classroom are those used in TDL today.

* All applications for lead organizations are subject to change pending negotiations with the Illinois State Board of Education.

Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Illinois State Board of Education Illinois Community College Board Illinois Board of Higher Education Illinois Student Assistance Commission Illinois Department of Employment Security