This week, WIN–Worldwide Interactive Network announced its first $50,000 scholarship to be awarded to Pomona Unified School District in Pomona California. Awarded annually by WIN, the WIN/CALSA grants support the California Association of Latino Superintendents and Administrators (CALSA) members in their efforts to close the Latino achievement gap. Pomona’s scholarship goes toward the licensing of WIN e-Learning Solutions to help students build career pathways, either directly to the workforce or following post-secondary education.
Educators nationwide report strong outcomes with WIN’s Strategic Compass in its ability to map out career pathways for students and help transform career readiness as a basis for school reform. Educators note further how Strategic Compass has also been successful in working directly with schools to create a data-driven framework for the discussion and planning of college and career readiness in the context of educational aspirations, economic realities, and labor-force demands.
WIN e-Learning Solutions also include WIN Soft Skills – developed in response to business leaders’ request for students’ preparation in essential qualities for success such as attitude, teamwork, communication, problem solving, and critical thinking – and WIN Career Readiness Courseware, which provides multi-level, skill-based training to improve foundational academic skills in the context of real jobs. Schools nationwide use WIN’s Career Readiness Courseware to prepare students for 26 national career readiness certifications.
Joseph Goins, Executive Vice President of WIN, announced the selection of Pomona by saying, “We received many outstanding applications for this grant. Pomona stood out in its commitment to apply best-practice solutions for delivering skills-based training and ensuring success for all students. We believe WIN and Pomona share a vision to integrate learning technologies for enhanced educational opportunities in the Pomona-Diamond Bar community.”
According to Dr. Enrique Medina, Director of the Pomona’s Adult and Career Education (CTE) Program, WIN’s grant will strengthen career and technical education across the district. As Dr. Medina notes, “Our goals are two-fold. We want to assure all our students succeed beyond high school, no matter what path they choose; and we want to provide local businesses with a highly trained and qualified workforce. A partnership with WIN and their generous grant support will most certainly assure we meet these goals.”
This Partnership Grant is part of an ongoing collaboration between WIN and CALSA, a professional organization representing Latino educational leaders across California. Now in its 15th year, WIN has been an innovator and worldwide leader in matching education to workforce requirements, and strengthening partnerships between schools and communities to place students firmly and successfully in the 21st century workforce. WIN’s foundational skills training and career pathways mapping have engaged more than 10 million WIN learners worldwide, educating and credentialing students for career readiness.