Building Seamless K-16 Pathways

Northern and Southern Central Coast Models in Action

• Isaac Castro, Ph.D. - Southern Regional Coordinator, Central Coast K-16 Collaborative
• Ashley Selck - Northern Regional Coordinator, Central Coast K-16 Collaborative
• Anthony Marenco - Director Career Education, Ventura County Office of Education
• Michael Specchierla - Executive Director, SLOCOE, K12 Strong Workforce Pathway Coordinator, Central Coast K16 Steering Committee Member, & Golden State Pathways RTAC

https://www.centralcoastk16collab.org/

https://slopartners.org/

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Moderated discussion exploring regional K-16 collaboration, dual enrollment, work-based learning, and equity outcomes

Driving Question

How can K-16 collaboratives and technical assistance centers bridge the gap between K-12 CTE programs and postsecondary career pathways to ensure equitable student success across diverse regional economies?

60-Minute Panel

• Foundation & Regional Context (10 min)
• Technical Assistance & Program Development (10min)
• Equity, Access & Student Outcomes (10 min)
• Dual Enrollment & Work-Based Learning (10 min)
• Closing & Call to Action (10 min)
• Audience Q&A - Survey Feedback (10 min)

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Foundation & Regional Context (10 min)

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We have leaders representing major state initiatives:

• K-16 Regional Collaborative
• Golden State Pathways Program
• CTEIG, K12SWP, and K12SWP & Pathway Coordinators

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Directed to: K16 "Big Picture Context"

• For CTE and California Partnership Academy teachers, why should K-16 Pathways and collaboration matter? Why invest your time in these partnerships?

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Follow-up to: Regional K12

• How does K-16 structure change the way “higher ed” supports high school partnerships?

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Directed to: All "Regional Variation & Local Implementation"

• The Central Coast is diverse—you have agricultural regions, coastal economies, tech hubs …. How do the Northern and Southern regional coordinators adapt the K-16 model to local contexts? Describe your regional economy and 1–2 priority pathways emerging?

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TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE & PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT (Minutes 10-20)

Directed to: GSPP & Regional K12 "Navigating the Funding Landscape"

• There are multiple funding streams—Golden State Pathways, K-12 and Community College Strong Workforce Program, K-16 Collaborative grants. For a CTE director or lead teacher, how do you know which funding fits your program, and who do you turn to for help?

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Follow-up to: Regional

• If you're a pathway or program lead and you want to expand into healthcare or engineering pathways, where do you start?

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Directed to: All "Building Industry & College Partnerships"

• K-16 only works if K-12 schools, community colleges, and industry are all at the table. From your perspectives—as a regional coordinator, a college leader, and an industry connector—what does effective partnership look like, and what are the biggest obstacles?

EQUITY, ACCESS & STUDENT OUTCOMES (Minutes 20–30)

Directed to: K16 "Who Benefits? Equity Outcomes & Early Data"

• Early data on Golden State Pathways shows that LEAs receiving implementation grants serve 67% low-income students, higher than the state average. That's intentional. Let's talk about what's driving equitable enrollment and what barriers still exist?

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Follow-up to: Regional

• What barriers to dual enrollment persist for low-income and first-generation students?

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Directed to: ALL "Who Benefits? Equity Outcomes & Early Data"

• K-16 collaboratives aren't just counting enrollments. They're tracking pathway completion, college persistence, graduation, job placement, and earnings. What data matters most, and how do your programs use data to improve equity outcomes?

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Audience Reflection: "In your pathways and programs, how are you proactively reaching students who haven't traditionally accessed these opportunities?"

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DUAL ENROLLMENT, WORK-BASED LEARNING & CAREER EXPLORATION (Minutes 30–40)

Directed to: Regional “Dual Enrollment: Beyond Just Taking College Courses”

• Dual enrollment is no longer just students taking random college courses. In K-16 pathways, dual enrollment is intentional and sequenced. What does that look like, and how does it improve outcomes?

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Audience Application: "If you're a CTE or Academy teacher and want to add a dual enrollment component, what's the first conversation you need to have?"

Directed to All “Work-Based Learning That Works"

• Work-based learning is a K-16 pillar—internships, apprenticeships, job shadows. But not all WBL is created equal. What makes WBL effective, equitable, and sustainable?

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Follow-up to: ALL

• Work-based learning How do regional collaboratives ensure WBL is accessible to all students in a pathway, not just a few?

CLOSING, CALL TO ACTION (Minutes 40–50)

Directed to: All "Concrete Next Steps"

• An Education Leader is sitting in this room and thinks, 'This is compelling, but my program is siloed. How do I actually engage with this regional infrastructure?' Give us three concrete next steps

Directed to: All "The Vision Forward"

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• In 2030, what does a truly seamless K-16 pathway look like for a student?

What's the student experience?

The Vision: 2030

Every student has access to clear pathways with integrated support, graduating with college credits, job-ready skills, and opportunities for advancement

Audience Q & A - Survey Feedback

• Contact your regional GSPP RTAC, County Office, Pathway Coordinator or K-14 TA provider
• Join K-12 SWP regional meetings & connect with local community college partners
• Explore K-16 Collaboratives in your region
• Take the Survey Below