Middletown Students to Benefit from $1.5M Career Pathways Expansion Grant

Strengthening Connections Through Experiences

Learn to Earn Dayton has been awarded a $1.5 million grant from the Pathways Impact Fund to expand its career-connected learning model, PACCE (Pathways for Accelerated College and Career Experiences), across Ohio. This initiative focuses on strengthening connections between schools, employers, and higher education to better prepare students for in-demand careers.

The PACCE model is designed to integrate career-connected learning throughout a student’s educational experience, rather than treating it as a separate program. By aligning resources and partnerships, the model helps ensure students graduate with both academic knowledge and real-world skills.

The investment will increase the number of career navigators in schools, providing students with personalized advising, access to work-based learning experiences, and opportunities to earn college credit while still in high school. These supports help students explore career interests and make informed decisions about their futures.

As part of this expansion, the model will be implemented in Middletown City Schools and Springfield City Schools, while continuing in districts across the state. This local impact will create more opportunities for students to connect classroom learning with meaningful career pathways.

Overall, this effort supports a broader goal of building sustainable, statewide systems that expand access to high-quality career pathways. By increasing collaboration and opportunity, the initiative aims to improve long-term outcomes for students and strengthen Ohio’s workforce. to meet our newest learners and start them on a path full of discovery, growth, and success!