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Dysart Unified highlights CTE gains, announces free semiconductor training with Grand Canyon University
Summary
The district told the April 27 board it expanded in-house CTE programs, raised credential and TSA pass rates, and will offer a free 10-week semiconductor training through a Grand Canyon University partnership aimed at placing graduating seniors in local semiconductor jobs.
At the April 27 Dysart Unified board meeting, Tom Ludman, the district director of career and technical education, detailed progress in CTE offerings and a new industry partnership that would provide free semiconductor training for qualifying students.
Ludman said Dysart currently offers 19 CTE pathways taught by 37 teachers and three instructional assistants, and that the district has expanded middle-school exploratory programs to build early student interest. "We know that CTE helps prepare kids for career and learning, but it also helps increase their academic achievement," he said, pointing to higher ACT averages for CTE completers (a district average cited of 19.42 vs. 17.7 for non-CTE students in the transcript presentation).
He described several performance metrics: credential attainment rose from roughly 480 to 560, Technical Skills Assessment (TSA) pass rates climbed toward the 90th percentile, and district completer rates (students who finish Year 1 and Year 2 of a pathway) were about 36%, above state averages.
Ludman announced a partnership with Grand Canyon University tied to a local semiconductor employer (TSMC): "They offer a 10-week class. We're looking at doing it spring of 27 ... it is 100% free. Students registration, application fees are free. The 12 credits they earn are free. And when they are done, they're more or less guaranteed a job as an operator at the semiconductor plant up the road." He said the pilot would be offered at Valley Vista High School and target 12th graders who pass pretesting; more than 60 students had expressed interest on an initial survey.
Board members asked practical questions about transportation to partner campuses and whether lower-grade students would have access to pathways. Ludman said a year-to-year grant funds wrapped 15-passenger buses for some off-site transport (to West-MEC/Northwest campus) but that students traveling to other campuses currently provide their own transportation. He confirmed the semiconductor pathway is intended for 12th graders because it is scheduled during the school day and requires a full-credit sequence.
Ludman also described efforts to expand work-based learning, simulated workplaces and student-run enterprises, and said the district pays credential exam costs for students in CTE classes to increase equitable access.
The presentation drew board questions but no formal vote; it was presented for information and district planning.
