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Atascadero Unified expands early-college access with Cuesta partnership, board approves new courses
Summary
The Atascadero Unified board heard an update on an expanded early-college program that opens Cuesta College's full course catalog to high-school students and approved several new CTE and arts courses and course-name changes. Officials said it could let motivated students earn college credits or an associate degree while in high school.
The Atascadero Unified School District board on Wednesday approved a slate of new courses and heard a detailed update on an early-college program that will give high-school students expanded access to Cuesta College courses.
The board unanimously approved changes that include a new patient-care CTE pathway at Atascadero High School (three new courses), AP art/design and AP drawing designations, a course-name change to align with Cuesta's precalculus catalog entry, and new Fine Arts Academy electives including technical theater, robotics and music appreciation. The district said existing teachers will cover the new classes and that some courses are funded via Proposition 28.
In a study-session presentation, district leaders described the early-college program developed with Cuesta College as an "umbrella" that allows students to enroll in Cuesta's broader catalog rather than only those courses that match a certified high-school teacher for dual enrollment. The district noted it currently offers 41 dual-enrollment courses with roughly 781 course enrollments and 838 pathway course enrollments across CTE programs.
"This umbrella gives our students access to courses we couldn't previously offer on campus, so a student interested in marine biology or certain engineering classes can now try those courses while still in high school," the presentation said. Officials added that motivated students might work toward the CalGETC transfer pattern or an associate degree while in high school, a change they characterized as a major savings to families.
District leaders said most Cuesta courses will be taken online or outside the regular school day, though some classes could be scheduled on campus or at Cuesta facilities. The program will not change the district's attendance-based funded ADA, officials said.
Trustees asked about enrollment demand, staffing and whether the new robotics course could connect with existing after-school clubs. Mr. Aston, the district's secondary curriculum director, said many courses already have preregistered students and that the robotics instructor exists at the Fine Arts site.
The district said it will track participation via its student information system and receive reports from Cuesta on enrollment and course completion; because of FERPA it will not automatically receive students' college grades. The board voted to approve the new courses and course-name changes by roll call. The district said it will follow up with parent information nights in English and Spanish and application workshops for students.
