The Guided Pathways Grant Program was established in 2017 to support the California community colleges in adopting the Guided Pathways framework, a nationally recognized approach for redesigning institutions to address persistent challenges in student completion, retention, and support. Pursuant to Education Code § 88921, the program aligns existing student success efforts, strengthen institutional capacity for data-informed planning and implementation, and create clear, structured pathways that improve student outcomes, reduce time to completion, and expand access to postsecondary education and high-wage career opportunities.
What Guided Pathways Seeks to Achieve
Advance Equity: Removing barriers that today’s students face, particularly students of color, first-generation students, students from low-income backgrounds, and working adults.
Transform Institutions: A highly structured, comprehensive approach to systemic change to improve students’ attainment of skills, credentials, and socioeconomic mobility. It is founded on the principle that everything can and should change.
Redefine Readiness: Fundamentally shifting the conversation about what it means to put students first, encouraging colleges to focus on their readiness for students rather than students’ readiness for college.
Redesign Supports: Recognizing that students need more than financial support and resources to be successful. It allows colleges to recognize and holistically support students’ academic and non-academic needs.
Embracing Guided Pathways
In combination with funding provided by the legislature, the Chancellor’s Office and partners are providing resources, programs, and support to help colleges continue with the implementation of Guided Pathways and support student equity.
The Guided Pathways framework is grounded in the following four key pillars, which have been embedded across college operations and student support structures:
- Clarify the path – Provide clear program maps and course sequences aligned with student goals
- Enter the path – Support students in choosing and beginning a program of study early
- Stay on the path – Provide integrated academic and non-academic supports to sustain progress
- Ensure learning – Ensure that students achieve learning outcomes and workforce competencies
Please refer to Education Code § 88921(d) for specific activities and practices for each of the four Guided Pathways pillars. The priorities outlined in Vision 2030 build upon these pillars, reinforcing the role of Guided Pathways as a foundational framework for advancing equitable student success across the system.
Contact Us
For support or questions related to Guided Pathways, contact GuidedPathwaysProgramInfo@CCCCO.edu.
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Guided Pathways Grant Program Updates
This memorandum provides California community colleges with updates, clarifications, and reminders regarding the Guided Pathways Grant Program (Guided Pathways) including expenditure deadlines, guidance on effective use of funds, reporting requirements, and available Guided Pathways resources. -
Guided Pathways Expenditure Guidelines
The 2017-18 California State Budget provided $150 million in one-time grants to seed the expansion of the Guided Pathways framework across the California Community Colleges over five years. -
Effective Use of Prop 98 Spending
This memorandum serves as a reminder of the Chancellor’s Office’s memo ESS 21-100-002 and our commitment to subsidiarity and providing colleges with maximum flexibility to support student success. At the same time, it is important to note that the Chancellor’s Office has an obligation and responsibility to provide oversight for all encumbered Proposition 98 funds. -
Chancellor's Office Reports
Keep track of the progress we are making toward meeting our goals each year. Find past reports, including the Guided Pathways Legislative report.
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Vision Resource Center
The Vision Resource Center is an online learning and collaboration platform for all professionals in the California Community Colleges. -
Guided Pathways Playbook
The “Guided Pathways Playbook” is a college professional’s guide to actionable strategies to improve equitable student outcomes. The playbook draws strategies, resources and examples from the California Guided Pathways 2.0 Project.
