Golden State Pathways Program (GSPP) - Implementation Grants

The Golden State Pathways Program is a historic $470 million investment by California to expand high-quality college and career pathways in high schools across the state. Implementation grants of $422 million support local educational agencies (LEAs) as they develop and expand college and career pathways modeled on Linked Learning approaches.

Geographic Scope: California statewide. Awardee counties include: Alameda, Butte, Colusa, Contra Costa, Del Norte, El Dorado, Fresno, Glenn, Humboldt, Imperial, Kern, Kings, Lake, Lassen, Los Angeles, Madera, Mariposa, Mendocino, Merced, Monterey, Napa, Nevada, Orange, Plumas, Riverside, Sacramento, San Benito, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Francisco, San Joaquin, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Sutter, Tehama, Trinity, Tulare, Tuolumne, Ventura, Yolo, and Yuba.

Focus Areas:

• Development of integrated college and career pathways
• Blending rigorous college preparation with career technical education (CTE)
• Work-based learning opportunities
• Preparation for high-wage, high-growth fields including technology, healthcare, education, and climate
• Equitable access for all students, particularly those historically underserved

Eligibility:

• Local educational agencies (LEAs)
• School districts
• County governments
• Can apply individually or as part of a consortium

What They Fund:

• Planning and implementation of college and career pathways
• Development of partnerships across education segments and industry
• Creation of work-based learning experiences
• Student support services
• Professional development for educators

Background: The GSPP was first announced in 2022 and is modeled on the Linked Learning approach. It serves as a cornerstone of California's Master Plan for Career Education, which aims to align K–12, university, and workforce systems. The program is part of Governor Newsom's broader initiative to address workforce development and educational equity.

Application Process

Consortium Development and Planning Grants (also available)

• Support program partnerships across education segments and industry
• Vital for creation of highly relevant learning experiences
• $48 million of the total $470 million allocated to these grants

Planning & Implementation Grants (Round 2)

• Second round of applications opened January 31, 2024
• Available for individual organizations or consortiums
• California Department of Education manages the application process

Technical Assistance Centers (TAC) Grants

• Separate RFA released in late August 2023
• Application deadline: September 19, 2023 (deadline has passed)
• Focus on setting stage for high-quality implementation
• Support integration, relevance, and rigor of pathway experiences
• Guided by GSPP Framework

Application Materials Required:

• Details not specified in provided content
• Contact California Department of Education for current RFA and application requirements

Submission:

• Submit through California Department of Education
• Monitor CDE website for current RFA postings and deadlines