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Martinez Unified spotlights adult education growth, honors student participants
Summary
Martinez Unified trustees heard an update from Martinez Adult Education director Suzanne Murphy on surging enrollment, expanded ESL and career-training programs, and new funding including a county capacity grant and doubled WIOA allocation; three students were recognized for participation in the Indian Education program.
Suzanne Murphy, director of Martinez Adult Education, told the Martinez Unified School District Board of Education on Nov. 18 that enrollment and program outcomes have grown sharply, particularly in English as a Second Language and career training. "This year especially, we've seen a major increase in our enrollment," Murphy said, adding that 402 Martinez residents participated in adult-education programs in 2023–24 compared with 319 in 2021–22.
Murphy described program areas and outcomes, including a record number of adult-school graduates in 2023–24 (17 earned high school diplomas and 27 passed high-school-equivalency exams) and several CTE pathways with paid internships. She said the district doubled its WIOA allocation from $91,820 in 2021–22 to $180,935 for fiscal 2024–25 and identified other funding streams: the CAPE allocation (just over $2,000,000 for the program), a three-year California pre-apprenticeship grant totaling $500,000 (Martinez is in year three), and a county capacity grant of about $256,000 to support setting up mental-health billing for services delivered in schools.
Murphy highlighted training outcomes in specific programs: an optical assistant apprenticeship with 44 completers over two years; a pharmacy technician program with 11 new state-licensed pharmacy technicians and an 85% pass rate on the state licensing exam (compared with a national average cited at about 69%); and a medical billing-and-coding program with a 99% pass rate on the AAPC exam for recent cohorts.
Board members asked how students learn about the programs. Murphy said outreach is a mix of a program brochure, word-of-mouth, some social media, the district website and referrals from community-based organizations. She described Martinez Adult Education's participation in the Contra Costa Workforce Collaborative, which places a bilingual career coach on site to help students find training and funding, provide supportive services (including bus passes) and follow up with participants for 6–12 months after placement.
The board also recognized three students from the district's Indian Education program. Fifth-grader Dahlia Dyckman said she prefers the term "Indigenous" and described attending a "ways of our ancestors" camp where she learned traditional dances and cultural stories. Student Beckett Brown said the program provides tutoring and cultural activities that help young people learn about their heritage.
Murphy said the district will bring a plan to the board at a future meeting to accept the county capacity grant funding and to proceed with program setup and staff training. The presentation concluded with trustees and the superintendent thanking staff and students for their work and community partners for supporting internships and training.
