1. CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Tom Torlakson, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Middle Grades Rock! What is happening with Careers in the Middle Grades? David Militzer. CA Dept. of Education Dan Blake, Sonoma County Office of Education Jessie Daimon, Mendocino County Office of Education Gillie Miller, Solano County Office of Education Elaine Nelson and Team Ranchero Middle School’ Hesperia Unified School District _______

2. TOM TORLAKSON State Superintendent of Public Instruction The Concept Self Exploration, Career Exploration, and CTE Experience plus Guidance Equals Informed Decision-making and Engaged Learners Models for Middle Grade Pathways Preparation

3. TOM TORLAKSON State Superintendent of Public Instruction Why Middle School? Students who are not prepared for High School will unlikely to succeed in high school. Students who make ill-informed decisions are likely to make bad decisions. Students who have not developed intrinsic motivation for why they are in school or how their education relates to their current and future lives are unlikely to experience deeper learning.

4. TOM TORLAKSON State Superintendent of Public Instruction Developing Intrinsic Motivation Giving students options Engaging them in decision-making Personalizing learning approaches Expanding use of personal technology Student goal setting and individualized plan development Fostering student leadership

5. TOM TORLAKSON State Superintendent of Public Instruction Key to 21 st Century Skills The 4 C’s Critical thinking and problem- solving Creativity Collaboration and team work Communication The Partnership for 21 st Century Skills

6. TOM TORLAKSON State Superintendent of Public Instruction Education for Life and Work: Developing Transferable Knowledge and Skills in the 21st Century The National Academies Press, 2012

7. TOM TORLAKSON State Superintendent of Public Instruction Deeper Learning and Standards for Middle Level Transitions Helping middle level students focus on Personal and social development (navigating twists and turns) Educational achievement (navigating challenges and changes) Career and life skills (navigating opportunities and directions)

8. TOM TORLAKSON State Superintendent of Public Instruction What If……. …..every student graduated from high school already implementing their personal education and career plan, grounded on solid academic preparation and at least general career options, with a high probability of success?

9. TOM TORLAKSON State Superintendent of Public Instruction Further Resources New CTE Standards (CA) Middle Transition Standards (GWU) CALCRN Mendocino Web Site Other Web Sites Final Report

10. TOM TORLAKSON State Superintendent of Public Instruction Further Resources New CTE Standards (CA): www.cde.ca.gov/ct/sf/ctemstandards.asp www.cde.ca.gov/ct/sf/ctemstandards.asp Standards for Middle Level Transition See Conference Posting (GWU) California Career Resource Network: www.cacareerzone.org Web pages: Mendocino County Office of Education, Career and College Resources Sonoma County Office of Education, Career Education Solano County Office of Education, CTE and Workforce Development http://