Secondary School Redesign Pilot Program

The Secondary School Redesign Pilot Program is established for the purpose of developing and identifying effective models of middle and high school redesign that create structures to support strong relationships that ensure each pupil is well known; foster deeper learning and competencies focused on 21st century skills; provide personalized supports that enable pupil success and equitable outcomes; innovative uses of technology and experiential learning opportunities are encouraged; promote measurable pupil engagement growth; and create sustainable structures and systems to maintain pilot impacts beyond the pilot timeline.

Assembly Bill 121, Chapter 8, Section 84 (Statutes of 2025) appropriated the sum of ten million dollars ($10,000,000) to the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence as the lead agency to administer the program. The lead agency works collaboratively with the State Department of Education to help participants build capacity, identify effective models, share best practices, and develop peer-to-peer partnerships; develop criteria, with the approval of the executive director of the State Board of Education, and select a network of grantees to participate in the pilot program; manage a network of grantees to support peer learning and documentation of practices; promote sustainable school design planning through use of existing investments in expanded learning opportunity programs, career technical education, and California Community Schools Partnership Program grants.

The California Collaborative for Educational Excellence (CCEE) will collect necessary data and document the outcomes of the activities through the duration of the pilot program and develop resources based on the experiences and conclusions of the pilot program participants from their specific contexts that are broadly applicable and actionable statewide. CCEE will conduct an evaluation of the pilot program, including documentation of successful instructional models for better serving middle and high school pupils, including descriptions of school designs and evidence of pupil outcomes, including the degree to which pupils experience engaging and authentic learning opportunities that prepare them for contemporary life, develop and demonstrate durable skills, experience inclusion and belonging, and make academic progress. On or before September 1, 2029, the lead agency shall submit a report, consistent with Section 9795 of the Government Code, to the fiscal and policy committees of the Legislature with the findings of the evaluation.

Contact Information

Direct Technical Assistance Lead

Christine Olmstead, Ed.D. California Collaborative for Educational Excellence, COlmstead@ccee-ca.org

Program Contact

Allegra Alessandri, Ed.D. High School Innovations and Initiatives Office, AAlessandri@cde.ca.gov

Fiscal Contact

Categorical Allocations and Audit Resolution Office, CAAR@cde.ca.gov

Related Content

• Assembly Bill 121, Section 84 (Chapter 8, Statutes of 2025)
• CCEE for Secondary School Redesign Pilot Program Funding
• CCEE Secondary School Redesign Pilot Program page