- Sylmar Biotech Health & Engineering Magnet
- What is Linked Learning?
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What is Linked Learning?Linked Learning is an educational approach to teaching that is a blend of four crucial elements of learning:
- Rigorous academics, aligned to admissions requirements for state colleges and universities.
- Career technical education, delivering concrete knowledge and skills through a carefully structured sequence of courses.
- Work-based learning, providing students with exposure to real-world workplaces through job shadowing, apprenticeships, internships, and more.
- Comprehensive support services, including counseling and supplemental instruction in reading, writing, and math to address the individual needs.
Why Linked Learning?
Linked Learning turns schooling into a personally relevant and engaging school experience that exposes students to possible college and career opportunities while helping them develop the skills and knowledge they need to succeed post-high school. Teachers engage students in rigorous academic coursework to prepare them with 21st-century Skills to successfully meet the Common Core State Standards. Additionally, academic teachers work collaboratively with career technical (CTE) instructors to prepare students for success in post-secondary education and career development through real-world applications, project-based learning, and other experiences that go beyond the classroom.
Work-based learning is a core component of all Linked Learning, which allows students to apply their classroom learning professionally and gain real-world experience. As a result, Sylmar Biotech established partnerships that allow students to receive work-based experiences, such as internships, job shadowing, and work-based field trips. Some partnerships we have formed include the Olive View-UCLA Medical Center, Providence Holy Cross Medical Center, the Mission City Mobile Medical Clinic, Abbott, and the STEM & CTE programs at Los Angeles Mission College.
Why Biotechnology and Engineering?
At Sylmar Biotech, students' education is organized around industry-sector themes, including Health Science & Medical Technology and Engineering & Architecture. We strongly believe in providing a quality STEM-based education to Sylmar and surrounding communities. Our school was established to encourage students from all backgrounds, especially underserved groups, to explore STEM pathways. Historically, there has been an underrepresentation of people of color, women, and low-income people who are encouraged to pursue STEM careers, which has led to an overall lack of diversity and inclusion. This lack of diversity has harmful consequences for underserved communities whose voices and needs are left out. Sylmar Biotech has aimed to bridge the opportunity gap by offering themed Linked Learning STEM-based pathways to provide students with access to high-quality programs, which in turn give them the skills and confidence to pursue careers in STEM.
These specific career pathways were selected because, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2015), employment in healthcare occupations is projected to grow 19 percent from 2014 to 2024, adding about 2.3 million new jobs. Healthcare occupations will add more jobs than any other group of occupations. The highest percentage of job growth in engineering is in biomedical engineering, which is projected to grow by 23%.
When did Sylmar Biotech receive its Linked Learning Certification?
Research shows that quality matters when it comes to Linked Learning. When implemented well, Linked Learning increases positive outcomes for all young people. During the 2016-2017 school year, Slymar Biotech underwent Linked Learning Certification. Our certification shows that Sylmar Biotech is nationally recognized as a Linked Learning School that provides quality work-based education to our students.