Linked Learning and Postsecondary Transitions

This research brief presents findings on Linked Learning’s impact on students' early postsecondary educational outcomes from SRI’s evaluation of the California Linked Learning District Initiative.

This research brief presents findings on Linked Learning’s impact on students’ early postsecondary educational outcomes from SRI’s evaluation of the California Linked Learning District Initiative. With funding from The James Irvine Foundation, SRI conducted a rigorous, multimethod evaluation of the initiative in nine school districts over the course of 8 years.

In this brief, SRI provides estimates of the effect of Linked Learning participation on students’ likelihood of enrolling in college and persisting into a second year, with particular attention to outcomes for specific student groups: students with low prior academic achievement; those with high prior achievement; English learners; and African-American, Latino, and female students. Because the Linked Learning approach is designed to combine rigorous academics with a career technical education sequence, these outcomes are crucial to gauging Linked Learning’s efficacy in preparing students for college as well as career.