Review Agenda Item
Meeting Date: 11/13/2023 - 7:00 PM
Category: Business/Action Items
Type: Info/Action
Subject: 19.5 Proposed Courses of Study for the 2024/25 School Year
LCAP (Local Control Accountability Plan) Goal:
Enclosure
File Attachment:
New Course Proposal Form Business Management II 2023 MVHS (1) (1).pdf
Copy of New Course Proposal Form Digital Communications 2023 MVHS (1).pdf
Copy of New Course Proposal Form Digital Communications III 2023 MVHS (1) (1).pdf
MVLA Course Proposal Form Integrated Science (1) (1).pdf
Copy of New Course Proposal Form Digital Communications II 2023 MVHS (1) (1).pdf
Copy of New Course Proposal Form Heath Careers II MVHS 2023 (1).pdf
LAHS Digital Communication I (1).pdf
LAHS Digital Communication II (1).pdf
Summary: The process of proposing new courses involves many deliberations and considerations across various aspects. These discussions encompass a wide range of topics, such as analyzing master schedules, evaluating the students who will benefit from the courses, assessing potential impacts on existing courses, examining budgetary implications, and determining the overall value of the proposed courses. These conversations aim to ensure that the new courses align with the district's educational goals and provide meaningful opportunities for students.

For the 2024-2025 school year, both of our comprehensive high schools are submitting new courses.

For Los Altos High School, these courses enhance our current class offerings rather than entirely new additions. The introduction of 'Digital Communications I' will become the course to the existing LAHS Journalism class and will also become a CTE concentrator course into the Arts, Media & Entertainment (AME) pathway. Although many aspects of the current journalism curriculum will be retained, additional components will explore various careers within the field. Students will have the opportunity to delve into different forms of journalism, including reporting, advertising, broadcasting, publication, and more.

Digital Communications I will provide students with two distinct options for their subsequent year's course within the CTE pathway. They can opt for Digital Communications II/Talon, which will primarily focus on news writing and reporting, or they can choose Digital Communications II/Yearbook, which mainly emphasizes print media publishing and photojournalism. Both Communications II/Talon and Communications II/Yearbook will serve as the capstone courses for this CTE pathway.

For Mountain View High School, brand new courses of Business Management II and Health Careers II are being proposed. These courses will serve as the CTE capstones to the concentrator courses introduced in the 2023-2024 school year, namely Business Management I and Health Careers I and will complete the CTE pathways for each of these new Sectors to MVLA (Patient Care Pathway, and Business Management respectively. In addition, both of these pathways will potentially feature Dual Enrollment Credit with our CCAP Partner, Foothill College, dependent on teacher staffing.
Integrated Science is a new course. This course will replace Pre-Biology and Pre-Environmental Science. This course is for our English Language Learners (levels 1 & 2). The purpose of this course is to expose our students to all the sciences required by NGSS (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Earth and Space Science) providing them with a comprehensive learning experience.

Regarding Digital Communications and similar LAHS in how these are more enhancements to current courses than brand new courses.
Digital Communications I will replace Publication Design and will serve as an introductory course to the Arts, Media & Entertainment (AME) CTE Sector, Digital Communications pathway. Students will learn foundational skills in digital media, including graphic design, multimedia production, and digital storytelling.
Digital Communications II will be the first-year course for students entering the Oracle journalism program, which will now be a CTE concentrator course within the AME Digital Communications pathway. Students will deepen their understanding of journalism principles, refine their writing and multimedia skills, and gain practical experience in news reporting and publication.
Digital Communications III will be the CTE CAPSTONE to the MVHS Digital Communications Pathway under the AME Sector.. It will be designed for students who choose to continue their involvement in the Oracle journalism program for a second year. This advanced course will provide students with opportunities to take on new roles, engage in further learning, experiment in broadcasting, and participate in internships or field experiences to gain real-world insights into the fi
Funding:
Recommendation: Approved the proposed courses of study for the 2024/25 school year.
Approvals:
Recommended By:
Signed By:
Grace Icasiano - Administrative Assistant
Signed By:
Teri Faught - Associate Superintendent of Educational Services
Signed By:
Nellie Meyer - Superintendent
Vote Results:

Original Motion
Member Catherine Vonnegut Moved, Member Esmeralda Ortiz seconded to approve the Original motion 'Approved the proposed courses of study for the 2024/25 school year.'. Upon a Roll-Call Vote being taken, the vote was: Aye: 1 Nay: 0.
The motion Carried 1 - 0
   
Esmeralda Ortiz     Yes