Purpose
The California Department of Education contracts with the University of California (UC), Office of the President, for the continuation of the "a-g" Interactive Guide Project. This partnership provides an easy-access Web site and accompanying professional development for secondary schools to better understand strategies and methodologies for building courses that meet the University of California "a-g" subject area requirements for public university eligibility. The purpose of the 2011–12 contract is to expand the capacity of schools to design courses that integrate traditional academic discipline with Career Technical Education (CTE).
Program/Services
The "a-g" Interactive Guide Project was designed to accomplish three goals, all of which stimulate and drive school improvement:
- To provide to high school educators more and better information about the UC “a-g” subject area requirements and the course approval process;
- To offer a broad range of tools, resources, and professional development to assist schools in designing courses that meet the “a-g” criteria; and
- To clarify UC policy and streamline UC procedures for approving courses that meet the requirements.
Outcomes
All students in California should have access to coursework that meets the University of California "a-g" subject area requirements. At the same time, California’s student population continues to grow in diversity with multiple learning styles and educational expectations. Concurrently, the state’s high employing Industry Sectors are demanding a more highly skilled workforce. In order to meet multiple needs and demands, many secondary schools have created innovative courses that include both the rigor and complexity necessary for meeting UC "a-g" requirements as well as the career-related content necessary to prepare students for future career options. This project helps to clarify the course approval process and offer an easy-access guide for course submission. This year’s funds will enhance the work of the project by maintaining and improving the current Web site, supporting and building capacity of schools to design courses in the changing areas of visual and performing arts, and serving educators who teach in the state’s highest priority schools. For more information, please visit the UC "a-g" Guide Web site [http://www.ucop.edu/a-gGuide/ag/welcome.html] (Outside Source).
Funding
The 2011–12 contract of $600,000 for the Interactive Guide Project is state-funded through Senate Bill 70 funds related to the Governor's CTE Statewide Initiative.
Students Served
The project encourages, stimulates, and supports curricular improvement in California high schools. By doing so, it provides greater access for those students interested in attending the UC and the California State University (CSU) systems.
Results
- Facilitates the UC/CSU course approval process for all California high schools
- Results in high school students becoming more competitively eligible for UC/CSU admissions
- Assists high school educators to meet multiple needs in their course development
- Facilitates articulation between UC, CSU, high schools, regional occupational programs (ROPs), charter schools, and others
- Streamlines outreach efforts that prepare underrepresented minority students for college
- Aligns the four educational systems in California (K–12, Community Colleges, UC, CSU)