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Board hears praise and questions for CNA, AP Capstone, IB and concurrent-enrollment programs; discussion centers on replication and resources
Summary
District leaders highlighted strong CNA results, AP Capstone growth at East, IB program models at Highland and West, and concurrent-enrollment pathways. Board members pressed on replication, FTE tradeoffs, teacher training needs and equity for low-income and IEP students.
District administrators presented a report on optional specialized programs — including the CNA (Curriculum & Assessment) elementary/secondary model, AP Capstone at East High, International Baccalaureate offerings at Highland and West, and expansion of concurrent-enrollment (CE) opportunities.
Principal Eric Jacobson (Ensign) described the CNA program's six performance results and how multi-age blended classrooms create stability that correlates with improved test outcomes. "Our CNA students, pretty darn consistently outperformed some of our mainstream classrooms and definitely beat the district average," he said, summarizing internal data showing higher ELA and math outcomes for stable CNA cohorts. Jacobson explained CNA's trade-offs: the program pulls a few classrooms into a different FTE model, but the school used budget flexibility to protect class sizes and sustain outcomes.
Board members asked how to scale the model. District staff said CNA is school-developed and school-led, requiring multi-year professional-development and administrative buy-in. Dr. Hall said a four-year PD plan exists to prepare schools but cautioned that replication requires teacher-training and dedicated coaching, particularly at the secondary level where student contact time is limited.
On AP Capstone, Dr. Hall noted East started the program in 2022 and has grown participation and pass rates; students must take four AP classes plus seminar and research components. The district subsidizes AP/IB professional development and supports fee waivers for low-income students so assessment costs do not become a barrier.
For IB, presenters contrasted Highland's cohort diploma model with West's course- or career-program option, and noted district payment of annual IB accreditation fees (~$12,000 for diploma programs) and state funds for PD. Concurrent enrollment (CE) was presented as a cost-effective college-credit path (roughly $15 per credit at partner institutions like Salt Lake Community College), and district staff said they are pursuing pathways to add CE options in high schools.
Board discussion emphasized two priorities: (1) use existing state USBE portrait materials and other districts' lessons to avoid duplication and (2) ensure resources (FTE, PD funds) are aligned so high-quality programs can be sustained and equitably serve students with IEPs and low-income students. Several board members supported a streamlined, state-aligned approach with limited additional district investment; others urged the district to keep a district-specific option to reflect Salt Lake City’s unique needs.
Board members requested follow-up details on how CE and AP/IB expansions would be staffed, how fee-waiver subsidies are administered, and a plan to provide training and visits so schools seeking to adopt CNA could observe established classrooms.
