A-G Elaboration

The intent of “A-G” programs is to ensure that students can fully participate in the first-year program at both the CSU and UC systems in a wide variety of fields of study.

The requirements were written deliberately for the benefit of all students expecting to enter the university and not for the preparation of specific majors. UC/CSU faculties consider the subject requirements to be an effective preparation for undergraduate work at the university. This pattern of study assures that the student has attained a body of general knowledge that will provide breath and perspective to new, more advanced study. Fulfillment of the “a-g” pattern also demonstrates that the student has attained essential critical thinking and study skills.

Parents should understand that when students are planning to take A-G courses through independent studies, the curriculum presented may not contain the entire scope and breath of knowledge as would be provided in a traditional classroom due to decreased student and teacher interaction and observation related to the subject. That may in turn impact (lower) SAT/ACT scores (generally required for most four-year universities.) and affect the student’s rating in the eligibility index for college/university acceptance. Before enrolling in the Santa Cruz County Office of Education with the intent to pursue A-G programming. Please verify all relevant information with an academic counselor so as to insure that the needs of your son/daughter are best met.

The Santa Cruz County Office of Education, Alternative Education program is authorized to offer the following A-G courses.

  Section A: History and Social Science

  Section B: English

  Section C: Mathematics

  Section D: Laboratory Sciences

  Section G: College Preparatory Electives.

However all of these courses are contingent upon staffing and student class enrollment. All A-G courses will involve additional rigor and classroom tutorial sessions.

We do not offer A-G courses in the following areas: Section E; Foreign Language, and Section F; Visual and Performing Arts. Although Math is currently offered through Algebra II, it is recommended that levels above Geometry be pursued through community college which would ensure the appropriate level of direct instruction and classroom time to adequately learn the material and score higher on college entrance exams. Consequently, students in independent studies who wish from 9th grade to pursue an “A-G” track could benefit from concurrent enrollment at Cabrillo College or another accredited institution of higher learning in order to satisfy those requirements that we may not provide. An additional benefit derived from concurrent enrollment is that transferable classes taken at a community college earn honors points that will increase a student’s GPA and thus their eligibility index for college /university admission.

It is absolutely necessary to consult with a Cabrillo college counselor at least two months before each semester starts to ensure that any student enrolling in any of the Cabrillo College classes has met all the pre-requisites and co-requisites for each class. A recommended course of instruction could include:

**** Fine Arts can include all classes listed in area 3 under arts in the IGETC list for classes transferable to UC/CSU

*Entrance into intermediate algebra class requires student to first take the algebra math assessment test

** It is required that students take the accompanying lab along with the class to earn “A-G” credit. Please consult with UC/CSU admission counselors or Cabrillo counselors to see if other classes offered may meet science/lab A-G requirements.

** Students are required to take any two of the three classes and labs to fulfill the “A-G” Lab science requirement.

*** Continuing into transferable math will assist student in earning higher math scores in SAT/ACT Tests