Board reviews academy-style overhaul as option to expand CTE opportunities

Escondido Union High School District staff presented a multi-option plan to expand career technical education (CTE), including an academy-style redesign at one campus, districtwide realignment of pathways to California's new career clusters, and a set of "guaranteed experiences" (internships, field trips, guest speakers and dual enrollment).

"We're going to begin with where we are now," said Mia Funk, the district's director of college and career, noting the district currently serves about 2,100 students in more than 30 pathways and 2,500 students when counting multiple-pathway participation. Presenters said a full redesign would integrate academics and CTE across cohorts, while a narrower approach would realign existing courses to meet the state's updated cluster framework.

Board members focused on tradeoffs. One asked whether an academy would reduce access to AP classes or world language continuity; presenters replied that alternative schedules such as a 4x4 block could add capacity while requiring careful course sequencing and professional development. The board requested three concrete cost analyses: (1) districtwide transition to a 4x4 schedule, (2) costs to update curriculum to meet state standards, and (3) the cost of redesigning a single campus into a CTE academy. Staff said they would return with estimates and recommended next steps, beginning with a full CTE audit and stakeholder engagement.