The document summarizes initiatives in Illinois to coordinate education and workforce development programs. It describes the Illinois Pathways framework which defines course sequences for careers in science, technology, engineering, and math. Key aspects of support include a website with career and course information, a resource center for local programs, and STEM learning exchanges to improve partnerships and opportunities. State agencies are working together on these initiatives to strengthen the talent pipeline, improve education programs, and support economic growth in the state.

1. http://www.ilpathways.com
Peoria College Changes
Everything Conference
October 5, 2012
Presented by Jeanne Kitchens
SIU Center for Workforce
Development

2. State of Illinois Initiative
Several state agencies are working together to coordinate education and workforce development initiatives.
The Illinois Pathways initiative is designed to support college and career readiness for all students.
Illinois Pathways provide a framework for recommended course sequences that require
Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math courses. The pathways lead to careers that have a
great need for qualified workers in our state.
• Illinois Pathways were announced in February 2012.
• Illinois Pathways Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Learning Exchanges
were announced in September 2012.
• Funding for Illinois Pathways program support is through the state’s Race to the Top (RttT)
Round 3 grant and Workforce Innovation Fund.
Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
Illinois State Board of Education
Illinois Community College Board
Illinois Board of Higher Education
Illinois Student Assistance Commission
Illinois Department of Employment Security

3. Why Illinois Pathways?
• Respond to changing economy.
• Strengthen talent pipeline.
• Improve education and training programs that lead to high-
growth careers in areas that require Science, Technology,
Engineering, and/or Math.
• Coordinate public and private-sector education
investments.
• Increase school completion rates.
• Grow businesses in Illinois.
• Employ more workers in high-growth
careers.

4. Research
http://www.ilpathways.com

5. Grow Economy:
State initiatives
Define education Provide support to local • Start and expand business
coordinated to facilitate
framework. education programs. • Hire more qualified workers
local economic growth.

6. Background - P-20 Council’s Goal
Provides a strategy to help
achieve the P-20 Council’s
goal that by 2025, at least
60 percent of Illinois
residents attain either:
50%
60%
• high-quality academic
degree 40%
• industry recognized
certificate or credential

7. Background - Design
Designed to build off of best practices developed under
Illinois State Board of Education and Illinois Community
College Board approved career and technical education
(CTE) programs to:
• Increase student achievement.
• Improve graduations rates.
• Improve transition rates to college and
employment.
• Originally developed and implemented as part of
CTE, the nine P-20 STEM Programs of Study serve as a
model for bridging programs across education
institutions. 7

8. Background – Illinois Pathways
Governance Model Advisory Council
Illinois Pathways
Interagency Pathways Resource Center
Committee
Goal: To create a new, innovative public- AGR Learning MFG Learning TDL Learning
private education infrastructure that can Exchange Exchange Exchange
advance college and career readiness by
IT Learning R&D Learning EGY Learning
coordinating statewide networks of P-20
Exchange Exchange Exchange
education partners, business, labor, and
other organizations based on career FIN Learning A&C Learning HS Learning
clusters. Exchange Exchange Exchange

9. Background – RttT Expectation for STEM Programs of Study
STEM Programs of Study and Individual Learning Plans (D9)
“For districts serving grades 9-12, the district establishes two or
more Programs of Study promoting critical STEM application areas;
for other districts, as applicable, the district establishes an individual
learning plan program, commencing in 7th grade, that aligns to a
Programs of Study model in the predominant feeder schools for high
schools implementing STEM Programs of Study.”
• Grades 9-12: Research and select two Programs of Study
• Grades 7-8: Research and select an individual learning plan
model
• Pilot “individual learning plan” model in 2013 – 2014
• Full implementation in 2014 – 2015
NOTE: For K-8 districts, predominant feeder schools for high schools that have Programs of Study – not just
STEM Programs of Study, are required to develop an individual learning plan program.

10. • STEM Programs of Study
Define
education
framework.

11. Education Framework
P-20 STEM Programs of Study are organized around nine career clusters and
feature a series of orientation and advanced pathway courses across education
institutions.
• The pathways offer opportunities for students
to enrich their learning through work-based
learning experiences as well as demonstrate
their competence through assessments and
industry credentialing.
• Designed to improve access and success for
underrepresented populations in STEM fields,
such as females, minorities, low-income, and
disabled students.
Notes:
• Energy is a new cluster to be explored.
• P-20 STEM Programs of Study also fully align to the design elements for CTE Programs of Study, including Leadership, Organization & Support; Access,
Equity & Opportunity; Alignment & Transition; Enhanced Curriculum & Instruction; Professional Preparation & Development; and Program Improvement 11
& Accountability.

12. Education Framework
Public-private partnerships worked together and
developed the statewide models for each of the nine
P-20 STEM Programs of Study.
These models established shared definitions that will
support statewide networks and facilitate connections
between public-private partners in each of the nine
areas. Components of the reports include:
• Career Profiles (Demand)
• Baseline Analysis (Supply)
• P-20 Course Sequence and Definition Model
(Course Outline)
12

13. Education Framework - Attributes
Cluster Selection Identified based on economic development need and community objectives.
Personalization Education and career plan aligned to academic and career interests.
Applied Learning Access to work-based learning opportunities.
Orientation & Shared Foundational skills across clusters and reduced switching costs.
Pathway Courses
Early College Dual credit in “gateway” courses to improve transfer and reduce costs.
College & Career 1) Academic, 2) Career, and 3) Technical.
Readiness Assessments
Professional Training and work-based learning supports for educators.
Development
Diverse Delivery System Build program capacity through academic core, CTE, electives, regional centers, virtual
and Partnerships courses, and colleges as well as coordinate with local businesses and statewide STEM
Learning Exchanges.
Evaluation and Data-driven program review and talent pipeline updating.
Continuous
Improvement 13

14. Education Framework - Key Features
• Grades P-6: Build STEM skills through authentic learning experiences.
Elementary and
Middle School • Grades 7-8: Education and career plan development.
• Orientation level courses coordinated with adult bridge programs.
Secondary
Education • Common course infrastructure across multiple pathways.
9th and 10th • Work-based learning as central part of program completion.
• Assessments that measure academic, employability, and technical skills.
Secondary
Education • Students begin college-level work in pathways level courses.
11th and 12th • Adult bridge program completers enter gateway courses.
• Transitions and credit articulation as part of pathway progression.
Postsecondary
Education and • Portfolio developed through completing degree programs, attaining
Careers credentials, and building lifelong and life-wide professional networks.

15. • Illinois Pathways Website
• Pathways Resource Center
• STEM Learning Exchanges
Provide support
to local education
programs.

16. Website
• Review framework for each career
cluster.
• See recommended courses, work-
based learning examples, credentials,
and career information.
• Learn about STEM Learning
Exchanges.
• Subscribe to News.
• Find resources.
www.ilpathways.com

17. Career
Cluster
Legend
Levels
Pathways
Careers
STEM
Learning
Courses,
Exchange
Work-Based
Learning,
Credentials,
and Shared
Pathways
www.ilpathways.com

18. Pathways Resource Center
• Develop the capacity of the local school districts to
implement STEM/career clusters, pathways, and
programs of study.
• Develop a resource bank of evidence-based materials,
which can be accessed by local school districts and
Learning Exchanges, that support development and
implementation of STEM programs of study.
• Support the sustainability of the STEM programs of
study, through continuous efforts to identify external
funding opportunities for the STEM Learning
Exchanges.
http://occrl.illinois.edu/projects/pathways_resource_center/

19. STEM Learning Exchanges
STEM Learning Exchanges have been
formed for selected career clusters to
improve the coordination and delivery
of resources, work-based learning
opportunities, career guidance, and
partnerships that support local STEM
programs.
Each STEM Learning Exchange is overseen by
a lead organization responsible for
coordinating a statewide network of
businesses, employer associations, education,
and other partners. STEM Learning
Exchanges are being launched using Race to
the Top funds, but are supported by funding
commitments from public-private partners.
19

20. STEM Learning Exchanges – Selection Process
Five of the STEM Learning Exchanges will be provided with implementation
funds for three years to begin coordinating and delivering support for their
career cluster.
• Up to $500,000 for each implementation grant with three-year strategic
plans.
An additional three STEM Learning Exchanges will be provided with
planning funds for one year to build their network and further develop
capacity for implementation.
• Up to $50,000 for each planning grant with a one-year scope of work.

21. STEM Learning Exchanges – Implementation and Planning Organizations
Implementation Organizations
Illinois Foundation for Future Farmers of America
Jess Smithers / 217‐893‐0091 / jsmithers@agriculturaleducation.org
University of Illinois at Chicago
Dr. Bruce C. Neimeyer / 312-996‐8820 / neimeyer@uic.edu
CompTIA Workforce Development LLC
Gretchen Koch / 630-678-8425 / gkoch@comptia.org
Illinois Manufacturers Association Education Foundation
Jim Nelson / 217-522-1240 ext. 3023 / jnelson@ima-net.org
Illinois Science and Technology Institute
Erin Lane / 312-239-0326 / elane@istcoalition.org
Planning Organizations
Illinois State University
David Loomis / 309-438-7979 / dloomis@ilstu.edu
Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce
Peggy Luce / 312-494-6745 / pluce@chicagolandchamber.org
Illinois Chamber of Commerce Foundation
Douglas L. Whitley / 312-983-7103 / dwhitley@ilchamber.org
Note: Currently, the Architecture and Construction Career Cluster does not have an implementation or planning organization.

22. STEM Learning Exchanges are Partnerships
• Community-based organizations
• Community colleges and universities
• Economic and workforce agencies
• Employers and employer-led organizations
• Federal labs and research centers
• Labor unions
• Local workforce investment boards
• Museums and non-profit 0rganizations
• Professional associations
• Secondary and postsecondary teachers and faculty
• Students and student organizations
• School districts and regional
• STEM education experts
22

23. STEM Learning Exchanges are Statewide Networks
23

24. STEM Learning Exchange Functions
1. Provide curriculum resources.
2. Expand access to classroom and laboratory space, equipment, and
related educational resources.
3. Support student organizations and their major activities.
4. Provide internships and other work-based learning opportunities.
5. Sponsor challenges and provide project management resources.
6. Provide professional development resources for teachers and
school administrators.
7. Provide career development and outreach resources.
8. Review P-20 Program of Study model and transitions
to post-secondary academic and training programs.
9. Review talent pipeline performance.
24

25. STEM Learning Exchange - Implementation
Will Develop and Produce over the next 3 years:
• E-learning curriculum resources
• Expand access to classroom and laboratory space and
equipment
• Support student organizations and their activities
• Provide internships and other work-based learning
opportunities
• Sponsor challenges and project management resources
• Provide professional development resources for
teachers and administrators
• Provide career development and outreach resources
• Provide tool and resources to assist students and
schools with Individualized Learning Plans
• Review and report on performance of STEM Programs
of Study.

26. • Illinois Shared Learning Environment
• Manufacturing Innovation
State initiatives
coordinated to facilitate
local economic growth.

27. State Initiatives – Illinois Shared Learning Environment
The state is making sure the Illinois Pathways is part of statewide P-20 education initiatives. P-20
means education that spans early childhood through adult life-long learning. For example, Illinois
Pathways are integral to plans for the Illinois Shared Learning Environment to provide
a common platform for all Exchanges to network and host content.
The State of Illinois is developing a statewide STEM
technology infrastructure known as the Illinois Shared Learning
Learning Environment (ISLE). Its infrastructure will Exchange
Resources
provide capacity for statewide student-level data and Other
for a variety of applications (apps) to support P-20 Applications
Illinois
education, including: academic education, career and for Education
Pathways
technical education, and workforce development and Career
programs. Development
It will advance the personalization of learning and ISLE
empower P-20 and workforce users to manage their Technology
academic and career pathways. Infrastructure

28. State Initiatives - U.S. DOL Workforce Innovation Fund
• $12M award to DCEO, IDES, & ICCB to support
6-8 regional partnerships.
• Targeting the manufacturing sector and coordinated
through Illinois Pathways.
• Population served is low-skilled, low-income,
unemployed, dislocated workers, and adults in
bridge programs.
• Focus on 4 strategies:
1. Manufacturing STEM Learning Exchange to provide regional coordination;
2. Implementing State policies and braiding public-private funding;
3. Enhancing regional labor market information; and
4. Integrating performance management and evaluation systems.
28

29. State Initiatives - U.S. DOL Workforce Innovation Fund
Example of regional
coordination with
Manufacturing
STEM Learning
Exchange.
29

30. To learn more, visit: www.ilpathways.com
Contact: Jason A. Tyszko
Email: Jason.Tyszko@Illinois.gov