Who We Serve – Business and Community
Curriculum Development
Private sector businesses have been long-time supporters of California’s career and college readiness organizations. Representatives with subject matter expertise from business and industry serve on advisory boards for each course offered, and they support a rigorous approach in developing industry-approved curriculum that is relevant in today’s economy. Advisory boards may also include post-secondary partners who can provide valuable input on course sequences, pathway development and articulation. The curriculum is vetted through these local advisory boards to ensure alignment between what is taught in the classroom is of high quality and consistent with the needs of business and industry.
Advisory boards are an essential link between the community and the classroom, and they provide valuable feedback on program effectiveness for educators. Members provide essential information on new technology, standards, and trends within each industry. The Boards advise local educators on the design, development, implementation, evaluation, maintenance, and revision of our educational programs.
Work-Based Learning
California’s career and college readiness organizations maintain ongoing relationships with businesses that, in turn, invest in our students’ successes through an array of work-based learning strategies aligned to curriculum and the real world of work. Member organizations are committed to the belief that students learn best by hands-on learning experiences that provide students with the opportunity to learn skills not available in regular classroom programs. On average, 93% of career and college readiness courses offer work-based learning activities such as internships, field trips, guest speakers, and job shadowing.
Many programs offer on-the-job training experiences, also known as “community classroom”. It is an extension of classroom learning that is unpaid and occurs in actual worksites. Community Classroom assists students in obtaining occupational competencies while practicing valuable “soft skills” needed to be successful in their chosen field. Title 5, Education Code, 10080 provides the specifications and conditions for safe and legal community classroom operations.