Dual enrollment, calendar changes and free tuition focus of LTCC-LTUSD meeitng

The annual joint board meeting with the Lake Tahoe Community College (LTCC) and Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) to discuss common goal strategies was held Tuesday, will innovative programs and successes highlighted.

As South Tahoe Now reported yesterday, the new Lisa Maloff University Center will house two colleges in the fall, Brandman University and Sierra Nevada College. Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Arts, Global Business Management and Psychology will be available to students as will advanced degrees in the field of education, providing more local opportunities for advancement.

Dual Enrollment

"Get Focused - Stay Focused" is a dual enrollment program with South Tahoe High School (STHS) and LTCC that is in its third year. While students are enrolled in some STHS classes they are able to earn college credit.

This year's dual classes:

▪3 sections of DMA 112 Digital Media Arts (4 units)
▪4 sections of HEA 106 Emergency Medical Responder (4 units) aligned to STHS Sports Medicine 1
▪3 sections of PET 102A Care and Prevention of Athletic Injuries (4 units) aligned to Sports Medicine 2
▪11 sections of HTR 141A College and Career Choices: The 10 Year Plan (5 units) for STHS freshmen
▪9 sections of HTR 141B Attitudes and Aptitudes for College and Career Readiness (1.5 units) for STHS sophomores
▪7 sections of HTR 141C Determining an Informed Major and Post-secondary Education Plan (1.5 units) for STHS junior

605 STHS students are currently enrolled in both schools, giving them a head start on college. The goal of the program is "High School +1," meaning all students could have one year of college under their belt when they graduate high school, and all at no cost to the families.

In the next school year, the schools are looking to expand offerings to pilot programs of either Culinary 106 or 114, Dental Assisting and Radiology Part 1, and Automotive Technology. From 2019-2021, goals are to add other pilot courses for dual enrollment in Expanded Culinary, Hospitality Management, IT Technician. Pathway - Cybersecurity, Environmental Science, Wilderness Education, Fire Science, Criminal Justice and the development of an internship program for for 1-2 pathways.

The benefit of this collaborative effort will be for students both pursing a four-year college as well as careers in the technical fields. Upon high school graduation they will have earned certificates or completed the first year of college (or more for those choosing to do so).

Community college is changing, no longer “just community college” in the minds of youth and parents and the programs is a pathway to college.

Calendars

There have been some problems for students/faculty with connections to both LTCC and LTUSD during holiday periods that do not overlap. Administrators at both schools are working on a plan where most vacations and school breaks will be at the same time, including a week off at Thanksgiving and Spring Break. The two boards will work together to see if possible to keep the calendars aligned.

Gift of Literacy

A pilot program is beginning at LTCC on May 25 where 138 students in kindergarten, first grade and special day classes from Lake Tahoe Environmental Magnet School will go to the college campus for a day of literacy. Each student will pick out a new hard cover book of their choice, get a book bag and be read to by local dignitaries.

Two-time Olympian David Wise will also be there to meet the students and read from his children's book, Very Bear and The Butterfly.

After this pilot year, hopes are to continue with the program throughout the district, a passion and goal of LTCC President/Superintendent Jeff DeFranco since he moved to South Lake Tahoe.

As the book vendor for South Lake Tahoe’s Gift of Literacy, Scholastic will be the book vendor for South Lake Tahoe's Gift of Literacy and will send approximately 190 books including 8 sets of books to be distributed to to school and public libraries throughout the community.

Lake Tahoe College Promise

LTCC will be tuition-free for all California first time full time students.

”A great deal for our students and our community,” said DeFranco. In the fall, 45 classes will also have no textbook requirements, leading the way to open education resources to all.

In addition to a tuition-free year of college, students also get: unlimited bus transportation within the South Shore; outstanding classes, programs, and world-class faculty; free tutoring, writing help, and academic counseling; a vibrant campus life with loads of student clubs, activities, and enriching events.

For more information: http://www.ltcc.edu/admissions/financial-aid/laketahoe_collegepromise/index.php

DeFranco announced that the Summer and Fall quarter schedule will be coming out in May, giving students an insight of how they can plan their first quarter in college, and showing them the value of staying local.

For more information the college, visit: http://www.ltcc.edu/

- South Tahoe Now Staff report