As the new administration of Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll take office, how can we expand career connected learning options for all students in Massachusetts? That was the focus of a recent Student Pathways to Success webinar, featuring top thought leaders on career connected learning from around Massachusetts and the country.

Ed Lambert, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Business Alliance for Education, opened the event emphasizing the need to provide universal access to a meaningful and relevant high school education experience for all students. While the Baker administration made good progress in supporting the building of proven pathways programs and investing in an already strong system of vocational and career technical education, there’s more work ahead:

View a clip of Ed Lambert’s call to expand access to Pathways in Massachusetts here.

Manny Cruz, Massachusetts advocacy director of Latinos for Education, a Student Pathways coalition member group, introduced Lt. Gov. Driscoll. She spoke on public education being the most important task taken on in local government and assured participants that this mindset is shared by the new administration on a state level, sharing details on the Healey-Driscoll administration’s plan to launch Mass Reconnect. Modeled on existing successful efforts in Michigan and Tennessee, it would link adults over the age of 25 with free community college and certification programs.

Lt. Gov. Driscoll gave an aspirational look ahead at the progress that can be made in education and the workforce in the coming years. She made an excellent connection between education, the economy, and workforce goals – and the role they play for the Commonwealth, which you can watch here.

Dr. Amy Loyd, Assistant U.S. Secretary of Education for the Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education, spoke next on the negative impact the COVID pandemic had on students and their progress, particularly students of color, students from low-income backgrounds and students with disabilities. Dr. Loyd affirmed that the goals of the Student Pathways to Success coalition for high school transformation align with the national goals of the Biden administration and U.S. Department of Education.

She closed with an inspirational message about the importance of collaboration between parents and families, businesses and industry associations, non-profits and government to come together around a shared vision for these growing pathways. You can watch her message here.

National expert on innovative learning Tom Vander Ark introduced the work that he and his team are doing in the New Pathways Campaign, an effort supported by American Student Assistance. He provided a history of pathways on a national level and introduced new trends and developments in credentialed learning.

Joining Tom to discuss what’s working in states were Paul Herdman, CEO of Delaware’s Rodell Foundation; Katie Zaback from Colorado Succeeds; and Dr. David Digs of Educate Texas. Tom’s remarks can be viewed here.

The Student Pathways to Success coalition will continue working with the Healey-Driscoll administration and our new legislature to implement the prescriptions outlined in our Policy Playbook, ensuring our students – particularly those from historically under-resourced communities – thrive and prosper in the Massachusetts economy.