Jeannie Oakes

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Jeannie Oakes UC ACCORD UCLA IDEA
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A Century-old Reform Legacy

• Our city schools will soon be forced to give up
  the exceedingly democratic idea that all are
  equal . . . and to begin a specialization of
  educational effort . . . to adapt the school to
  the needs of these many classes . . . (Cubberly,
  1909)
• Until very recently the schools have offered
  equal opportunity for all to receive one kind of
  education, but what will make them democratic is
  to provide opportunity for all to receive
  education as will fit them equally well for their
  particular life work (Superintendent, Boston
  Schools, 1908).

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Multiple Pathways

• Different high schools programs
• Size
• Curricular emphasis/theme
• Organization of courses
• On- and off-campus time and experiences
• Relationship with colleges and regional
  occupational centers
• Partnerships with business and industry
• Structured as
• Career academies
• Majors in large high schools
• Small learning communities/small autonomous
  schools
• Other??

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Commonalities Across Pathways

• A college preparatory academic core
• Challenging professional/technical/applied
  studies
• Opportunities for field-based learning that
  deepen students understanding of academic and
  technical knowledge
• Program coherence, high standards, personalized
  learning with support services, and
  accountability
• Prepare all students for both college and careers

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Study Questions

• Could Multiple Pathways
• contribute to the economy and address workforce
  needs?
• accommodate an increasing diverse population?
• improve learning?
• raise high school graduation and college
  preparation rates?
• increase opportunities for students in
  impoverished neighborhoods and English learners?
  
• lead to more effective civic participation?
• What challenges would Multiple Pathways face?
• What policies could support effective reform?

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Study Findings

• Considerable potential
• for the state
• for students
• Considerable challenges
• Promising policy approaches

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Potential Benefits to California

• Contribute to a healthy economy
• Prepare a skilled and nimble workforce
• Promote civic engagement

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Potential Benefits for Students

• Increase student engagement
• Increase academic achievement
• Deepen learning
• Increase high school completion
• Increase college preparation

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Benefits for Vulnerable Groups

• Young people in impoverished neighborhoods
• Immigrant students and those still learning
  English

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Challenges

• Disrupt the tracking logic that still makes
  sense to many
• Exert leadership, remove policy obstacles, and
  agree to fund a feasible and coherent plan.
• Recognize that structural change is necessary,
  but not sufficient

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Challenges

• Convince vested interests to see opposition as
  potential allies
• K-12 and postsecondary
• Academic and vocational
• Target resources/efforts for impoverished
  neighborhoods and for immigrants and EL students
• Keep expectations realistic
• School reform cant be layered on top of a
  crumbling infrastructure
• School reform alone wont solve all of the
  problems

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Policy Ideas

• Establish a joint committee of K-12 and higher
  education
• Invest in curriculum development and teacher
  professional development
• Fund studies to analyze key cost and feasibility
  issues

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• End the tired debate between academic and
  vocational education

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