LINKS | About LINKS

About the LINKS Model

The LINKS model establishes a culture of continuous improvement for each student. The goal is to normalize the education delivery model for youth aged 14-18 and to make it look and feel more like a "comprehensive" high school program. Based on the overarching philosophy of LINKS, each enrolling student commits to the tenets of LINKS.

LINKS is inclusive and every student is eligible to participate in a variety of electives: the basketball team, visual/performing arts, applying for college level classes, or building a comprehensive vocational arts profile.

LINKS creates a bridge between academics and job readiness with work training instruction and opportunities to earn money. Teachers offer supplemental service instruction with reading and math emphasis along with ROP career technical training.

Career preparation provides a vital LINK to on-the-job training. LINKS students have the opportunity to gain skills in many professions including:

Auto Body Repair
Business & Banking
Chiropractic Assistant
Culinary Arts
Dental Assistant
Landscaping
Radiology
Virtual Enterprise

All students are held to a high standard of behavior and academic effort in order to participate. Targeted instructional strategies rely on data-driven assessment measures.

Structure of the LINKS Model

As shown in the pyramid graphic at left, there are six building blocks key to the success of the LINKS model:

Bold Goals

Setting bold, yet reachable, goals helps guide our LINKS students onto the road to success and empowers them with the self-confidence necessary to reach their ultimate potential.

Regional Occupational Program (ROP)

The Regional Occupational Program (ROP) is a great way to help LINKS students explore career choices, get training in a specific career, and get focused before starting college.

Career Technical Education (CTE)

CTE infuses work place skills into academics and provides LINKS students with hands-on learning activities as well as incentive to apply academic skills.

Community Partners

LINKS is fortunate to have established partnerships with many Sacramento County agencies and community sponsors to provide wrap-around services for students. Partners include: Youth Development Network (YDN), AmeriCorps, WorkAbility, Foster Youth, County Departments of Health and Social Services and Sacramento County Probation. Music and art groups like Blues in the Schools all team together to support our students.

Mentors

Adult mentors play a key role in the LINKS model and help guide students, support them, and challenge them to achieve their individual student success plan goals. Mentors from Community Businesses, Faith-Based Programs, and SCOE staff meet weekly with students across the LINKS campuses to provide educational, social, and personal support.

Response to Intervention (RtI)

The chief emphasis of LINKS is on Response to Intervention (RTI), which is an approach to avert academic failure by affording students the right interventions to meet their individual needs. Student services are provided based on academic assessments to ensure student access to research-based support programs.