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https://www.sduhsd.net/Departments/Educational-Services/Course-of-Study---Curriculum/Practical-Arts/
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San Dieguito Union High School District

Practical Arts

practical Arts EDUCATION IN CALIFORNIA

practical Arts EDUCATION IN CALIFORNIA

The California Department of Education (CDE) establishes standards for all content areas. Courses with the main goal of incorporating the application of practical skills and knowledge and "hands-on" projects are designated as Practical Arts courses in SDUHSD. Example departments are Applied Technology, Business, and Home Economics and courses may be interdisciplinary. The Practical Arts Course of Study includes many classes that are part of Career Technical Education (CTE), which is a California program of study that involves a multiyear sequence of courses integrating core academic knowledge with technical and occupational knowledge to provide students with a pathway to postsecondary education and careers.
 
OVERVIEW OF Practical Arts EDUCATION IN SDUHSD

OVERVIEW OF Practical Arts EDUCATION IN SDUHSD

SDUHSD offers a wide range of elective courses to students in grades 7-12. Students may take as many elective classes as their schedule will allow, and prerequisites and department recommendations should be followed. Please see school websites for current course offerings and more information.
 
Middle School
All students in grades 7 & 8 may begin their studies in select elective classes. Middle school courses build skills and interest and may be used to satisfy prerequisites for high school courses. No high school credit will be granted for courses taken during middle school.
 
High School
One year of a Practical Art is a requirement to earn a comprehensive high school diploma from SDUHSD. Additional PA courses count toward fulfilling the elective credits requirement for graduation. All CTE program courses may count as PA but not all PA courses are CTE.
 
While Practical Arts or CTE courses are not specifically currently required for admission to California State University or University of California and most other colleges, the demonstration of skills and knowledge is valued by colleges, and courses, projects or certifications may be listed in non-college prep coursework and extracurricular areas in college applications. In addition, many of the SDUHSD Practical Arts courses are multidisciplinary and are CSU/UC approved and fulfill College Preparatory Elective (area G ) for entrance. Some interdisciplinary courses may also be counted as Practical Arts credits (example, Digital Photography may count as either a Visual/Performing Art (VPA) or a Practical Art for high school graduation and is also a CSU/UC approved CSU/UC Visual/Performing Art (area F) or may count as a College Prep Elective (area G) if a student has already completed another VPA.
 
Students must earn a C grade or higher in a high school course for it to fulfill college entrance requirements. All students in grades 9-12 may take PA courses offered by their school and should work directly with the school counselor regarding which courses to take.