I am delighted to connect with ConnectED’s friends, partners, collaborators, and colleagues. This newsletter comes at a challenging time for US education. While dramatic shifts at the federal level will have ripple effects across states and districts, our commitment to serving students and communities is unwavering. In fact, ConnectED’s efforts to enhance social and economic mobility through high quality college & career pathways enjoy broad, bipartisan support. A recent poll by Phi Delta Kappan found that preparing students to enter the workforce is the top educational priority for both Republicans and Democrats. Our work is valued by and resonates with Americans from across the political spectrum. 

This newsletter showcases ConnectED’s work in multiple arenas. With California’s Golden State Pathways Program beginning to release funds to districts, ConnectED is working with lead and regional technical assistance providers to  develop a webinar focused on improving implementation quality. We are also working with a district partner, the Porterville Unified School District, to celebrate April 16^th being designated National Pathway Day. We hope you will join us in celebrating high-quality college and career pathways across the country. ConnectED has also been invited by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to support effective implementation of high-quality instructional materials in mathematics.  By working with curriculum developers and educators to strengthen numeracy, ConnectED seeks to eliminate a barrier that keeps far too many students out of STEM pathways and professions. Given the growing demand for careers in high-skill, high-demand, and high-wage industries, ConnectED is proud to be a founding member of the Clean Transportation Technology Collaborative, which was launched by Karma Automotive CEO (and ConnectED Board member) Marques McCammon. I am thrilled to announce that Karma Automotive will be hosting a fundraising dinner for ConnectED on Thursday, June 26^th at its headquarters in Irvine, California. I hope that you will join this event in person or through a donation that supports high-quality pathways that give students the skills they need to succeed in college, careers, and in real life.

Sincerely,

Ash