Middle School โStudents Could Soon Earn College credits Through New Santa Clara County Program
SANTA CLARA COUNTY, โCA – A groundbreaking proposal could allow middle school students in Santa Clara County to begin earning college credits, potentially accelerating their path to higher education and addressing critical workforce needs. Spearheaded by a local educator, the initiative aims to partner โwith City College ofโข San Francisco and local universities to offer specialized coursework to qualified students.
The program, currently under development, focuses on providing early access to higher education, particularly in high-demand fields โขlike Alcohol and Drug Studies. Proponents say it’s a responseโค to a growing needโ for skilled professionals in Santa โClara County’s expanding healthcare and socialโฃ services sectors, while together โoffering motivated students a โขhead start on their college careers. The proposal is currently under review by district โexecutivesโ and will require approval from the California Community Colleges Chancellor’sโข office, with applications due January 15.
“There’s a โmomentum โฃto it,” said program architect and educator, Cook, who has already secured letters of support from San Jose State University’s School of Social Work and UC Santa Cruz. “San โขJose State, School of Social Work – yeah, please do it – UC Santa Cruzโ gave me a letter โคsaying yes,โค let’s do it.”
The program’s viability hinges on demonstrating a clear workforce โdemand. Leandra Canion, a formerโฃ student of Cook’s and an employee ofโ Pathway Society, a local alcohol and drug treatment provider, โhighlighted the opportunities โavailable. “There’sโค opportunities for middle management,โข more administrative positions, operations managers, clinical coordinators,” Canionโ explained, speaking near the future site of a men’s detox facility. “To give them a sense of hope, to give them a chance, โขan opportunity, โtoโ makeโ changes, lifesaving changes.”
Cook and district officialsโค are scheduled to โmeet Thursday to further discuss the proposal and outline the rigorous review process required for implementation. If approved, the program could โขrepresent a important shift in access toโ higherโค education for โstudents in Santa Clara County.