Board of Education Approves Classes For College And High School Credit

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Burbank Unified’s Board of Education approved agreements with Glendale Community College (GCC) and L.A. Valley College (LAVC) for specific courses at Burbank and Burroughs High Schools to qualify for college course credit. The classes would also count towards high school graduation requirements.

BUSD Logo“This is actually pretty exciting,” commented Sharon Cuseo, Director of Instruction and Accountability for the district, as she explained ways the agreements fulfill Common Core emphasis on college and career readiness for graduating high school students.

Courses at Burbank High School that will garner college credit at GCC include Regional Occupational Program (ROP) Professional Film and Stagecraft Technology. Burroughs High School ROP classes for Video Production, Stagecraft Technology and Video Production & Film are accepted in the articulation agreement.

Two classes – JBHS’ ROP Aircraft & Small Engines and BHS’ ROP Popenomics – were approved for the agreement with LAVC. The Popenomics course at BHS will examine the social and cultural impact of film and it is expected to begin at BHS in the future, according to Cuseo.

Students in ROP Professional Film “learn enough in that course that it takes the place of an entry-level course at the community college,” Cuseo added.

After students take the end of course exam, they will receive credit for the class.

When the students go on to enroll in either GCC or LAVC after high school, the college level course they took in high school is transferred and students may then take high levels courses earlier in their college career.

Cuseo noted and thanked Diana Dysthe, the district’s ROP Counselor, for her efforts in connecting high school teachers with GCC and LAVC professors to discuss the course content and develop the program.

This agreement is a first step towards a possible dual enrollment program between BUSD and local colleges, she went on to say.

“We’ve always wanted this for our students,” Cuseo said. She attributed financial incentives from the state as an impetus for colleges now seeking to develop these sorts of programs with local high schools.

The articulation agreement was approved unanimously by the Board of Education Thursday evening, August 7, and will be reviewed annually.

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