As we close out Year 3 of the Sacramento K-16 Collaborative, we’re proud to reflect on a year defined by collaboration, measurable progress, and collective commitment to improving education and career outcomes in our region.
From meaningful data integration to expanding access to pathways that connect education to high-demand careers, our partners have worked across institutions to drive systemic change. Together, we’ve streamlined student transitions, identified and addressed equity gaps, and strengthened the alignment between K-12, higher education, and workforce.
The results are clear: Year 3 brought increased cross-sector engagement, innovative practices, and early signs of long-term impact. And we’re just getting started.
Regional Data Sharing: Building the Foundation for Systemic Change
The Data Sharing Agreement is a major step toward building a seamless educational pipeline that supports students from K-12 through college and into the workforce. By connecting institutions through student-level data, we are enabling more targeted and effective supports.- Eight Secondary Data Agreements (SDA) have been signed, allowing institutions to share existing student data, with additional agreements in progress.
- Strong regional momentum is driving alignment and innovation.
Advancing Equity for Priority Student Populations
Equity remains at the heart of our work. This year, we celebrated major milestones:- The Comebacker Campaign, launched in partnership with 3Fold Communications, reached more than 500,000 returning students.
- UC Davis achieved Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) status in Fall 2024 with support from the Collaborative.
- Male Leaders in Education (MLE) launched to support male students of color pursuing PK-12 teaching careers at Sacramento State, Sacramento City College(SCC), Elk Grove Unified School District(EGUSD), Sacramento City Unified School District(SCUSD), and Woodland Joint Unified School District(WJUSD).
- The Ethnic Studies YOLO Academy doubled its capacity, offering even more students a culturally relevant learning opportunity.
- Expanded support for adult learners across the region, with approximately 960 students at Lake Tahoe Community College(LTCC), 2,900 at Sacramento State, and additional outreach through Los Rios Community College District.
Healthcare Pathways: Responding to Workforce Needs
We’ve made strategic investments to align educational programs with critical workforce needs in healthcare:- Surgical Technician programs launched at both Sierra College and Cosumnes River College.
- A Radiology Technician program opened in Rancho Cordova, enrolling 80+ students annually.
- Project MED, a four-year medical pathway, launched at Marysville High School.
- Northstate Healthcare Pathways built stronger linkages between high school ROP classes, community colleges, and certification programs.
- Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification program launched at Health Professions High School (SCUSD).
- Cardiovascular Technician program launched at Sacramento City College.
Engineering Pathways: Building Future Innovators
Engineering pathways expanded significantly, preparing students for careers in advanced manufacturing, computing, and design:- A mechatronics pathway launched at Oakmont High School.
- Project RISE at Lindhurst High School, in partnership with UC Davis and Bosch, established a four-year engineering/computing pathway.
- Interdisciplinary pathways across Sacramento State and Sierra College are helping students advance from high school to university-level engineering degrees.
Dual Enrollment: Expanding Early College Access
We saw tremendous growth in dual enrollment:- Our new high school dual enrollment toolkit supports implementation across districts.
- Improve Your Tomorrow (IYT) Dual Enrollment Pathways Pilot launched in partnership with Los Rios Community College District(LRCCD) and Sacramento County Office of Education(SCOE).
- LRCCD’s enrollment in dual enrollment courses nearly doubled, growing from 3,995 in 2021 to 7,871 in 2024.
- LTCC’s Dental Assisting and Radiology dual enrollment program gives high schoolers a head start in healthcare careers.
Transfer Pathways: Supporting Postsecondary Transitions
Engineering pathways expanded significantly, preparing students for careers in advanced manufacturing, computing, and design:- Electronic transcripts were implemented across nine institutions, streamlining the transfer process.
- Sacramento State saw a 22% increase in transfer enrollment among priority student populations.
- Transfer enrollment is projected to grow 150% by 2025 at Sacramento State and UC Davis.
- LTCC’s Expanding Pathways for Postsecondary Success continues to support both dual enrollment and adult learners.
Collaborative Events: Strengthening Connection and Strategy
Collaborative events that deepened alignment and engagement:- K-12 Convening (April 2025)
- More than 100 leaders from 14 school districts came together to advance equity-focused college and career pathways. The event featured the launch of a student-level data-sharing model, exploration of tools available through the K-16 Resource Hub, and district-level planning aligned with regional goals. The day concluded with a networking mixer to strengthen cross-sector collaboration.
- Youth and Industry Events (January and May 2025)
- This event series brings together students, educators, employers, and community partners to build stronger connections between education and high-demand industries. Each event focuses on expanding work-based learning and real-world skills, particularly for priority student populations.