Supporting Local P-20 Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Programs of Study through Statewide Learning Exchanges.
STEM Learning Exchanges are a new, innovative public-private education partnership that is organized to support local implementation of P-20 STEM Programs of Study by coordinating and reducing the transaction cost among statewide networks of education partners, businesses, industry associations, labor organizations, and other organizations. Learning Exchanges are organized by career cluster and work to coordinate planning and investment, aggregate resources, and review talent supply-chain performance.
Learning Exchanges provide a new infrastructure by voluntary association that helps coordinate investments at a statewide level to better connect and serve local programs in a similar career cluster while also tracking local and statewide performance. Compare the traditional Historic Funding Model (click below to enlarge) approach to the Systemic Funding Model approach advanced by the Illinois Pathways Initiative.
Also, each sector-based Learning Exchange is governed by a consortia of education, business and community partners with a specific entity serving as a fiscal agent to receive public investment. Learning Exchanges are required to have a state-approved strategic plan and have a state designation, but they operate as independent, voluntary public-private networks using the Illinois Pathways Initiative Governance Model.