CaliforniaALL (Aspire*Learn*Lead) was created as a unique and innovative model to meet California’s workforce needs—a workforce that is competent, prepared and reflects the demographics of the population it serves.
CaliforniaALL has the leverage to impact the education system through the collaboration of government, business, education and the professions. Its founding partners and early funders are all committed to the success of California’s economic future.
In 2006, the State Bar of California pioneered educational pipeline work with its development of a 70-member legal task force.
During their course of work, the selected legal professionals reviewed existing diversity programs and designated “best practices” that met the standards of:
Evaluation
Ruthe Ashley, founding president/CEO of CaliforniaALL, was instrumental in leading the State Bar’s task force.
Specifics
CaliforniaALL is replicating the State Bar’s Task Force model through the creation of the Diversity Pipeline Task Force for Financial Services. The task force is charged with identifying best practices in the financial services field to assist business entities in the creation of their own diversity pipeline program.
Results
Financial professionals across the country are currently involved in indentifying and cataloging best practices.
Current Partners
In its most recent venture, the New Energy Academies, CaliforniaALL is working in partnership with the Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) and the California Department of Education to develop a high school career academy focused on green energy and a sustainable future.
Specifics
The new academies were formally announced in September 2009 at Berkeley High School in Berkeley, CA. Academy supporters, including: State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell; Senator Loni Hancock; Berkeley Mayor Tom Bates; CPUC President Mike Peevey; Berkeley Unified School District Superintendent William Huyett; and CaliforniaALL Board Member and PG&E employee Ophelia Basgal, were in attendance.
Beginning in fall 2010, five high schools will participate in the inaugural New Energy Academies:
Results
Green technologies are instrumental components of California’s future. CaliforniaALL and its partners are investing today, so tomorrow’s leaders are prepared. Results will be posted as they become available.
Details
Follow academy teachers as they prepare for their first year with the new curriculum. Look for information in the next CaliforniaALL newsletter and on the web site.
The Saturday Academy of Law is the first organization to receive CaliforniaALL grant funding. The program is administered through the University of California Irvine’s Center for Education. Selected by the CaliforniaALL and its Board of Directors for its proven track record in creating and sustaining successful public-private collaborations, funds were used to develop and implement the Saturday Academy of Law (SAL). Current SAL partners include University of California, Irvine; Santa Ana Unified School District; Santa Ana City College; local bar associations and the local business community.
Specifics
The SAL program introduces sixth grade students in the Santa Ana Unified School District to the educational pipeline between middle school and the legal profession. Sixth and seventh grade teachers begin explaining the importance of enrolling in courses that will align students with future professional degrees. In eighth grade, interested students enroll in civics classes in preparation for SAL enrollment.
SAL students must apply and be accepted into the fully-funded program. Students meet on six Saturday mornings for four hours per session where they hone reading and writing skills, and learn about legal professions. After their intensive six-week program, students are matched with mentors that guide them through high school and into college.
Results
As of June 2009, 100 ninth grade students from the Santa Ana Unified School District have completed and graduated from the first two SAL programs. More than 55 percent of the graduates were raised in non-English speaking households.
