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District reports growth in concurrent enrollment and CTE credentials; new partnerships and summer classes planned
Summary
District 49’s Applied and Advanced Learning team presented increases in concurrent enrollment and industry credentials, announced a grant to start a medical assistant program, an automotive partnership with Hunter, and new summer concurrent enrollment offerings.
Sean Norman, director of Applied and Advanced Learning, and team members reported on career and college programs, concurrent enrollment (CE) and career and technical education (CTE) at the June 12 meeting.
Key points:
- Concurrent enrollment growth: The district anticipates about 16% of high school students will take at least one college course in the fall — the highest level reported so far. CE is a state‑mandated program in Colorado and is used to increase college access.
- Summer CE: The district is offering summer concurrent enrollment (an eight‑week general chemistry course had 15 students) and expects summer offerings to expand access for students who want to earn college credit at no cost.
- CTE and industry credentials: The district reported approximately 350 students earned industry credentials this year. Staff emphasized a correlation between CTE participation and higher graduation rates; concentration in a pathway for two years showed up to a 97% graduation rate in available state data.
- Partnerships and grants: The district is negotiating a partnership with Hunter (an automotive industry equipment provider) to equip Falcon High School with industry‑grade equipment and to make Falcon a satellite training site. The district was also awarded an innovation grant to start a medical assistant program at Vista Ridge High School; staff noted the grant review had significantly more requests ($4,600,000 requested vs. $2,600,000 available) and that the district’s proposal was selected.
- Work‑based learning and ICAP: The Choice and Success team increased student Individual Career and Academic Plan (ICAP) conversations from about 30% in year one to roughly 80% this year. The district held mock interviews, site visits, a Shark Tank event, and a draft day to connect students with industry partners.
What’s next
Staff will scale CE and CTE offerings, implement the new medical assistant program and finalize the Hunter automotive partnership details. Board members praised the programs and encouraged continued community engagement and outreach to students and families.
