Porterville Unified School District teachers gathered Tuesday for the first professional development day of the 2013-14 season for the district’s annual Back-to-school Celebration.
After meeting for breakfast, the district’s teachers filled the Frank “Buck” Shaffer Theater inside the Porterville Memorial Auditorium.
Following a welcome, introductions of guests and a couple of announcements, PUSD Superintendent John Snavely offered a few words about Linked Learning — industry-themed pathway programs in the district’s high schools.
“Linked Learning is nothing new to K-8 teachers,” he said, adding that most already practice it, teaching one subject while incorporating others into it. “Today’s program will focus on Linked Learning, pathways and preparation for college and career.”
Three additional speakers then offer state, local and national perspective on what linked learning is, how it might be implemented at all grade levels and why the district is following that particular path.
Speakers address different aspects of Linked Learning
First to speak was Christopher Cabaldon, executive director of the Linked Learning Alliance, who talked about the success of Linked Learning.
“We are seeing real evidence that it’s working and it couldn’t come at a better time,” Cabaldon said as he talked about California Assembly Bill 790, which created a pilot program modeled after what is happening in Porterville and a few other school districts involved in Linked Learning.
“Porterville has become one of two or three beacons in California on how this is done,” Cabaldon said. “They are saying, ‘Porterville’s got it right — the direction, the passion, the hard work — and we want to try it too.’”
The Common Core standards, he said, is what students need to learn, but Linked Learning is how they will accomplish it.
2013-2014 education budget supports pathway programs
He touched on the state’s education budget, pointing out the legislature and the governor loved Linked Learning, evident by the 2013-2014 year allotments of $1.25 billion for Common Core and $250 million for career pathway programs.’
“You’re definitely on the right path. You are getting it right and we’re behind you 100 percent,” he said as he thanked the district for its commitment to Linked Learning and the students.
Second to speak was Isaac Nunez, the district’s director of assessment and accountability.
Nunez, former principal at Pioneer Middle School, talked about the school’s journey into One to One, a pilot program involving 68 students, two teachers and 70 iPad computers.
The presentation included understanding the shift in thinking and mobility, and highlighted benefits of the program.
Referring to adults as “digital immigrants” and students as “digital natives,” Nunez pointed out the ease with which children as young as toddlers navigate their way around on iPad computers.
J.D. Hoye, president of the National Academy Foundation, who oversees a network of 500 career academies that open doors for under-served high school students to viable careers, talked about making progress and referred to Diana Ramos, a Harmony Magnet Academy graduate who is now an engineering student at the University Southern California, as a poster child.
She talked about giving students who are homeless, abused or have dependency issues a community of leaders who care.
“She is why what you do works, and this is why Porterville is a beacon,” Hoye said. “Porterville is demonstrating to the nation, that all kids can graduate college and career ready.”