Leadership Engagement

What is it?

When K-12, community college and municipal leadership is committed and engaged in improving K-12 to college transition, students benefit.  Without their guidance and focus, systems tend to stay siloed and disconnected.  We recommend using initial data and convening local leaders to look at the transition issues together and creating some benchmarks for progress moving forward.  Without engaged leadership, systems stay the same and aren’t able to respond to the changing needs of students or employers.

What are the indicators of success?

  • Established goals and desired outcomes reflected in respective K-12 and CC strategic plans, annual plans and community wide “platforms”
  • Based on baseline data review, K12 and CC leadership agrees upon measurable objectives to improve student access and success
  • Superintendent, Community College Chancellor and/or President, and Civic Leadership meet twice a year to review data, discuss progress towards objectives and sustain partnership
  • K-12 and CC Leadership is engaged in regional responses to workforce development needs.
  • Partnership data and objectives are presented to both K12 and CC boards &/or a cross-sector Education cabinet
  • Development of and/or participation in community wide initiatives with K-12 and CC leadership shared accountability (for example, sector initiatives, regional task forces, Healthy Cities, etc.)

What research supports this work?

Improving Education Through Collaboration: A Case Study of Long Beach Seamless Education Partnership
Higher Education Business Forum, 2009

This documents the successful Long Beach K-16 education pipeline including how the partnership (LBUSD, LBCC and CSULB) was developed, how stakeholders were informed, what outcomes the partnership has seen and the successes and lessons learned.