Amador County – Amador County Unified School District heard a report that the curriculum administrator is working toward expansion of technology and hospitality vocation classes in the county, with the help of the Lodi School District, with the concepts of academies and pathways.

Elizabeth Chapin-Pinotti, assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction gave an update report on curriculum cooperation with the Lodi Unified, saying Lodi is concentrating on vocational education, and is focusing on careers, but not necessarily vocational education. She said they are taking career pathways to a length that she wished Amador County had funds to take it to.

Chapin-Pinotti said “Lodi has offered to help us with technology and hospitality.” She said the districts have similarly strong graduation requirements, although Amador Unified has a half-year computer literacy requirement, while Lodi does not. Amador also requires a year of vocational education, which Lodi doesn’t.

Graduation requirement similarities of the districts: Both require 4 years of English (the state requires 3); 2 years of math; 3-and-a-half years of social science; 2 years of science; 1 year of visual and performing arts or foreign language; 2 years of physical education; a half-year of health; and 8 additional elective courses.

Chapin-Pinotti in a written report to Trustees said Lodi’s career focus is “very much in line (it seems) with” and “highly inclusive of the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) initiative. They are doing what we are striving to work towards. Of course we have far fewer students, therefore, far fewer resources. The move to embed technology is the first step.”

She said “academies are school-within-a-school approach of integrated curriculum in four subject areas. Teachers all work together to plan lessons that incorporate useful information for a career in a specified field.” She said “students are placed into smaller learning communities that stay together throughout the school day. Academies provide college preparatory curriculum that supports and enhances students’ focus on a common career.”

Chapin-Pinotti said the Academy “classrooms provide equipment used in the real world.” Students can “earn college credit through Advanced Placement classes and dual credit courses.” She said “all academy programs provide future career opportunities along with special recognition at graduation.”

The report listed academies in the Lodi district, with focuses of engineering, technology, education, visual and performing arts, child development, culinary arts, health, automotive, media arts and communications.

There will be a Career Tech meeting at the district office Wednesday, Jan. 18 to continue the pathways and academies discussion.

Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.