Marin schools secure $1.2M grant for career education
Marin schools will receive nearly $1.2 million in the latest round of state grants from the K12 Strong Workforce Program, county educators said.
The new grant will help students in Marin’s public high schools and some middle schools further align their education toward career training that interests them and leads to jobs that pay well, said John Carroll, the county superintendent of schools.
“We know that students are most successful when they are connected to their learning and view school as a vehicle to help them reach their goals,” Carroll said.
The so-called “school to career” paths offer academic, occupational and technical knowledge in a range of industries, including building and construction trades; health science and medical technology; education; and information and communications technology.
Other paths include business and finance; automotive technology; engineering and architecture; and arts, media and entertainment.
The programs are coordinated among Marin’s four public high school districts, several middle schools and the College of Marin, said Alina Varona, the college’s dean of career education and workforce development.
“College of Marin is proud to collaborate with our K-12 partners to create equity advancing educational pathways that connect students to early college and career exploration,” Varona said.
The college offers summer career academies at the Indian Valley Campus in Novato. The camps provide experience and exposure to high-demand fields like construction and engineering, game design, health care and entrepreneurship, along with one to two units of free early college credit through dual enrollment.
College of Marin also works with schools to align its career programs so high school students can, for example, transition into certificate programs at the college and then directly into the workforce.
“Together, we are designing hands-on, relevant educational experiences that empower students to build on their strengths, ignite their curiosity and develop skills for future success,” Varona added.
The award amount is $1,191,117, said Jesse Madsen, an administrator at the Marin County Office of Education. It is Marin’s seventh consecutive award since the program was established by the state Legislature in 2018.
“The Bay Area region received 53 applications requesting over $50 million, while the
amount available for the region was $29,415,025,” Madsen said. Thirty-six applications from the Bay Area received funding.
“Marin County was one of only 21 applicants funded at 100% of the requested amount,” Madsen said.
The recipients included the Marin Regional Occupational Program of the county education office, and the Kentfield, Novato Unified, Ross Valley, San Rafael, Shoreline Unified and Tamalpais Union school districts.
The entities, plus College of Marin, comprise the county consortium on the K12 Strong Workforce Program. The college provides a match and collaborative support but does not receive funds from the grant, Madsen said.
Madsen said the goals for the funding include creating or expanding career technical education paths in priority industries; increasing success for female, Latino and rural students; and increasing opportunities for early college credits.
The grants are awarded annually, but each year’s award is intended to cover two and half years.