Equity leaders from all of the college's constituent groups have determined that to serve our students well, we must transform our policies and practices. PCC is leveraging federal, state, and District funds and using guided pathways as our framework to close equity gaps that currently exist at the college.
What are Guided Pathways?
Guided pathways reform is a student-centered approach that can dramatically increase the number of students earning community college credentials, while closing equity gaps. Rather than work with a subset of students, guided pathways are a college-wide undertaking that provides a framework for integrating California-based initiatives such as SSSP, Equity, Basic Skills Transformation, the Strong Workforce Program, and California College Promise. The model helps colleges clarify paths to student end goals, helps student select and stay on path, and ensures quality learning.
From The Foundation for California Community Colleges website, California Guided Pathways Project
PCC's Guided Pathways Components
Guided Entry is PCC’s commitment to help students make a smooth and successful transition to college.
Our work includes...
- PCC’s Welcome Center, one-stop admissions support for new students
- AB 19: The California College Promise
- AB 705: Multiple measures assessment
Career communities (also known as meta majors) help students explore careers that they may be interested in by providing related extra- and co-curricular activities and experiences. Students meet peers interested in similar careers and are provided with a list of supports and resources that will help them reach their academic goals. Career communities prepare students for certificates, degrees, transfer, and careers.
PCC Career Communities Inlude:
Preparing students for certificates, degrees, transfer, and careers related to visual, applied, and performing arts; communication; TV and film; and journalism.
Preparing students for certificates, degrees,
transfer, and careers in business, finance, manufacturing, construction, and entrepreneurship.
Preparing students for for certificates, degrees,
transfer, and careers related to physical health and wellness (health, nutrition,
and kinesiology).
Preparing students for certificates, degrees,
transfer, and careers related to literature studies, creative writing, composition,
and library technology.
Preparing students for certificates, degrees,
transfer, and careers related to the understanding of cultures, communities, and human
behavior.
Preparing students for certificates, degrees, transfer, and and careers related to science, technology, engineering, and math.
Our work includes...
- Career assessment and guidance
- Career exploration through the Career Communities
- PCC’s new Career & Completion Center, which will provide work-based learning opportunities
Program Maps provide students with a sequence of courses in a semester-by-semester
timeline to help them complete their academic goals in a timely manner.
Curriculum and Instruction align course content with effective pedagogical practices
to ensure learning and close equity gaps.
Our work includes...
- Equity-focused inquiry to identify and close achievement gaps
- Gateway course redesign to increase advancement to goal completion
- Starfish Early Alert for early warning and student tracking
Support Services are the suite of tools and resources used to help students overcome barriers to success.
Our work includes...
- Student Success teams, comprised of counselors, coaches, and tutors
- Completion of SSSP requirements, including students’ Comprehensive Education Plan
- Expanded support services, including access to the Food Pantry, social work services, and financial planning and coaching
Guided Exit is PCC’s focus on helping students assess and align their career goals with academic programs to achieve degrees, certificates, transfer, and employment.
Our work includes...
- PCC Complete: second-tier priority registration and streamlined graduation process
- Transfer support
- Centralized certificate awarding process
PCC believes that successful implementation of the five components of our Student Success Plan will help us meet our goal of increasing student success and closing equity gaps.
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