June 2015 Message from the Superintendent

I am pleased to announce to the CUSD community that our San Diego County California Career Pathways Trust Grant (CCPT) has been awarded more than $13 million by the California Department of Education. The goal of this grant is to build coordinated systems for career exploration and work-based learning experiences for high school students across the county. The end result is to better prepare our graduates for the high-wage, high-demand jobs that await them when they leave the educational system.

For the last two years, Carlsbad Unified has been an active partner in the San Diego County College and Career Readiness Consortium, a county-wide network of high school and community college districts that includes 116 high schools and eight community college campuses, led by the San Diego County Office of Education. Partners also include Qualcomm, the United Way and the San Diego Workforce Partnership.

The grant will support career pathway programming through professional development for teachers and counselors, curriculum development, technology, and the purchase of other materials/equipment for student use. The project focuses on careers in advanced manufacturing, clean energy, and information and communications technology. 

A major element of the grant will be the creation of a county-wide web portal that aligns career-related activities across the county, including professional development, job shadowing, mentoring, and data reporting on student participation rates. The goal is to establish a coordinated system whereby the business and school communities can connect students to working professionals in STEM and manufacturing industries.

Carlsbad Unified expects to receive $400,000 over the next two years to implement the grant. In addition to expanding our high school pathways, funds will be used to further develop the career readiness skills of high school students such as time management, collaboration, problem solving, leadership, and communication. These “soft skills” are vital components of what every industry is seeking in their future employees.

The $13 million award was one of 40 competitive grants awarded throughout the State and the only grant received in San Diego.

May 2015 Message from the Superintendent

Testing, Testing, 1,2,3

Last month, my Superintendent’s Message addressed the new Smarter Balanced tests which are currently being administered to our CUSD students in grades 3 through 8 and 11. In addition to Smarter Balanced exams there are several other assessments that your students might be required to take.

The Smarter Balanced tests are only one part of the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP). Students in grades 5, 8, and 10 will also be taking the paper-pencil California Standards Tests (CSTs) in Science.

May is also AP Testing Month.  The College Board's Advanced Placement (AP) Program exposes students to college-level coursework, and they can earn college credit while still in high school. Taking AP courses demonstrates to college admission officers that students have sought the most challenging curriculum available. Research shows that students who score a 3 or higher on an AP Exam typically experience greater academic success in college and are more likely to earn a degree than non-AP students.

In 2014, Carlsbad Unified School District was one of 547 school districts in the U.S. and Canada named by the College Board to the 5th Annual District Honor Roll for increasing the number of students who take Advance Placement (AP) courses while also maintaining passing scores. Eighty-five percent of CUSD students who took one or more AP exams last year earned scores of 3 or higher.

Additionally, all high school students must pass the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) to earn a high school diploma. The test helps ensure that students graduate from with grade level skills in reading, writing, and math. Students begin taking the CAHSEE in 10^th grade. If they do not pass, they may retake the test annually through their senior year.

Finally, state law requires that second language learners take a proficiency exam called the California English Language Development Test (CELDT). The CELDT was developed to identify students with limited English proficiency and assess their ability to speak, read, and write in English.

These assessments can be stressful for teachers and students. The requirements can also be onerous. However, state academic standards continue to focus more on the critical skills needed to prepare students for college and the world of work. Our communities throughout the region continue to demand higher levels of accountability.

In CUSD we are committed to providing both a rigorous and meaningful learning environment that readies students for whatever their future may bring.