ABOUT US

In keeping with its goal of increasing the number of low-income youth in California who complete high school on time and attain a postsecondary credential by the age of 25, The James Irvine Foundation funded the Concurrent Courses Initiative: Pathways to College and Careers. The Initiative is managed and evaluated by a team with extensive expertise in career and technical education and dual enrollment, as well as secondary and postsecondary education in general. The Project Director is Katherine Hughes, Assistant Director for Work and Education Reform Research, at the Community College Research Center (CCRC). Dr. Hughes is supported by an experienced team of researchers at CCRC.

The James Irvine Foundation
The James Irvine Foundation is a private, nonprofit grantmaking foundation dedicated to expanding opportunity for the people of California to participate in a vibrant, successful and inclusive society. The Foundation’s grantmaking is organized around three program areas: Arts, Youth and California Perspectives, which focuses on improving decision making on significant state issues. Since 1937 the Foundation has provided over $1 billion in grants to more than 3,000 nonprofit organizations throughout California. With current assets of over $1.8 billion, the Foundation expects to make grants of $81 million in 2008 for the people of California.

CCRC
Established in 1996 by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, the Community College Research Center (CCRC) at Teachers College, Columbia University, is the leading independent authority on the nation’s nearly 1,200 two-year colleges. Its mission is to conduct research on the major issues affecting community colleges in the United States and to contribute to the development of practice and policy that expands access to higher education and promotes success for all students. CCRC staff have provided guidance to federal and state governments, foundations, and other organizations in setting the agenda for career and technical education and secondary-to-postsecondary transition reforms.

The Career Ladders Project
Through research, policy initiatives, and strategic and technical assistance to colleges, schools and their partners, the Career Ladders Project (CLP) works to strengthen educational and career advancement opportunities for Californians. CLP provides support to a number of initiatives, including the California’s Career Advancement Academies that establish pipelines to high-wage careers for underprepared and underemployed young adults. CLP assists with: professional development for teachers and staff; resource development and sustainability planning; program design, development and improvement; building partnerships across educational systems and with employers, workforce or community agencies; and developing career pathways.