With support from the Gates Foundation, UNITE-LA is working with Long Beach and South Bay partners in the L.A. Region K-16 Collaborative to strengthen how students move from high school into postsecondary education and high-quality careers. Grounded in a recent national report on career pathways for young people, the California Purposeful Pathways Project brings K–12 and higher education partners together to improve advising, dual enrollment and career-connected learning systems, helping ensure students can navigate seamless education-to-career pathways.

In May and June, UNITE-LA convened planning sessions with Long Beach Unified School District and Long Beach City College, as well as Centinela Valley Union High School District and El Camino College, to advance implementation of the Purposeful Pathways framework. These sessions marked an important step in translating a shared regional vision into coordinated, place-based action across the Long Beach and South Bay subregions of the L.A. Region K–16 Collaborative.

Facilitated by WestEd and UNITE-LA, partners reviewed baseline data, established shared student success goals and identified high-impact strategies to strengthen advising, dual enrollment and career-connected learning opportunities. Through the planning process, participants examined system strengths and gaps, set measurable targets and prioritized implementation strategies focused on improving student transitions, expanding access to college credit and strengthening education-to-career pathways.

For more information, please reach out to Carrie Lemmon, Senior Vice President, Systems Change Strategy, at [email protected].