Long Beach Unified to Receive $7.5 Mil in Grant Funding

The Long Beach Unified School District will gain about $7.5 million in grant funding to support career and technical education in high-demand fields, after an announcement by the California Department of Education today listing the first recipients of $250 million in state funding to prepare more students for success in college and careers.

The state’s Career Pathways Trust program is designed to help students stay in school and move toward college and employment in high-paying jobs.

“This is an incredible opportunity for the Long Beach community to do something innovative and new for our kids,” said LBUSD Superintendent of Schools Christopher J. Steinhauser. “We’re excited to receive these resources, which will help us to provide high school students with more relevant, meaningful and hands-on learning tied to rewarding careers.”

LBUSD will receive $6 million of the funding over three years to fund internships and other work-based learning opportunities, professional development for staff and other support of career and technical education. This $6 million grant will focus on health sciences and medical technology. Industry partners committed to the project include Long Beach Memorial Medical Center, Molina Healthcare, Kaiser Permanente and St. Mary Medical Center.

About $1.5 million in additional funding over three years will come from a $15 million grant awarded to a consortium led by Long Beach City College. These funds will help students transition from high school, to community college, to four-year institutions and careers, with a focus on engineering and advanced manufacturing.

Read the state’s full news release.