The goal of the Youth program is to increase the number of low-income youth in California who complete high school on time and attain a postsecondary credential by the age of 25.

California's Challenge

California's high schools are not working for far too many young people. Almost a third of today's ninth graders will drop out of high school before graduation. And of those who finish high school, most will lack the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in college and the workforce.

At the same time, the stakes for academic success have never been greater. Income and education are more closely linked than ever before. And California's future prosperity depends on its ability to cultivate a workforce that can compete successfully in the global economy.

Linked Learning

A new approach to high school education is needed. It must be flexible enough to accommodate a wide variety of student interests and abilities but directed enough to provide all students with a clear path to college and career success. And it must engage students in the rigorous learning that will ensure their success. We believe Linked Learning is that approach.

The Linked Learning approach (formerly known as multiple pathways) provides high school students with strong academics connected to real-world experience in a wide range of fields, such as engineering, arts
and media, and biomedicine and health. This
approach helps students gain an advantage in high school, college and careers.

Linked Learning engages students by connecting learning with student interests and job preparation. Research shows it can lead to higher graduation
rates, increased college enrollments, higher earning potential and greater civic engagement. Used in schools throughout California, this integrated
approach helps students build a strong foundation for success in college and careers — and life. Read more about Linked Learning.

Our Strategy

Irvine seeks to transform high school education in California by making Linked Learning available to a majority of low-income youth and across all socioeconomic groups. Our plan begins with developing and refining the Linked Learning approach, demonstrating its viability at the school and district levels and scaling up for statewide adoption of comprehensive Linked Learning systems.

• Practice — We make grants to support on-the-ground demonstration and evaluation of the Linked Learning approach at the school and district levels. We also support activities required to bring Linked Learning to scale, including curriculum development, leadership and teacher development, and work-based learning programs. For more detail about our grants in this area, click here.
• Public Support — We make grants to build support for Linked Learning among educators, policymakers, business leaders, parents and students. These grants are for advocacy, building coalitions or communications activities.
• Policy — We make grants for policy research and analysis that support reforms in education policy that pave the way for broader adoption of Linked Learning.

Our Partners

In 2006, Irvine established ConnectEd: The California Center for College and Career to serve as a hub for innovative practice, policy and research to expand the Linked Learning approach in California. While ConnectEd serves as a leading voice in this area, we also support many other organizations dedicated to advancing Linked Learning.

Grant Inquiries

While we accept unsolicited inquiries from grantseekers, we are able to fund very few of them. Please click here if you would like to learn more about submitting a letter of inquiry. Full proposals are accepted by invitation only.

---