MJUSD Adult Education Achieves Highest Accreditation
Jul 03, 2024 11:12AM ● By Marysville Joint Unified School District News Release
Recent Marysville Joint Unified School District Adult Education graduates pose for a photo. Photo courtesy of Marysville Joint Unified School District
MARYSVILLE, CA (MPG) - In just two years, the Marysville School for Adults achieved the highest possible accreditation, earning a full three-year term approval from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. This significant accomplishment reflects the program's comprehensive redevelopment and continuous expansion, consistently adding new layers to better serve our community.
“Accreditation by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) signifies that the Marysville School for Adults meets high standards of educational quality,” said James Lohman, director of the Marysville School for Adults. “This assures students and the community that we provide a credible and valuable education while being committed to continuous improvement and upholding standards. With this accreditation, our graduates benefit from coursework and diplomas recognized by educational institutions, granting them access to two and four-year colleges, universities, armed forces and trade schools.”
Two years ago, Marysville Joint Unified School District funded the adult education program using one-time funds as startup support. Recognizing the importance of adult education and parent training in this community, the district integrated these elements into the CCSPP grant, making them integral to school and community impact and family support. This has provided an option for more adults to finish their high school, gain employment and set a positive example for their children regarding the value of education.
"Educating our students also means educating the adult students in our community,” said Dr. Fal Asrani, superintendent of Marysville Joint Unified School District. “Many of these adults were once students in our schools and are residents in our county but had to leave before securing their diplomas for various reasons. They need these diplomas to get back into the job market or to continue higher education or to remain in their current positions. We serve as a bridge between their current needs and their future goals. Continuing education and providing support to our most committed adults is an honor for us."
“In just two years, we have grown into one of the largest adult education schools in the region,” said Seth Stemen, trustee for the Marysville Joint Unified School District Board. “During the 2022-2023 school year, the Marysville Joint Unified School District Adult School served 300 students, with 28 earning their diplomas. In 2023-2024, the school served over 400 students, with more than 40 earning diplomas. Additionally, this year we have established partnerships with Yuba County Health and Human Services, Local Union 228, Marysville Joint Unified School District’s transportation and paraprofessional training programs and we have collaborated with Wham Beauty School to offer cosmetology courses as part of our adult education program. More such partnerships to expand CTE options are in the developmental stage.”
The Marysville Joint Unified School District adult education program was closed in 2012, due to government funding cuts to school districts. In the aftermath, consortium funding allowed school districts to collaborate as a group of districts, County Offices of Education and Community Colleges and access State adult education funds. However, Marysville Joint Unified School District was not part of the original consortium and now faces the challenge of finding alternative ways to fund the ongoing program. Although the district received some unspent funds from the regional consortium last year, they haven't received the same support this year. As a result, they are now solely responsible for finding solutions to continue this vital program.
“We have to be creative in pursuit of ongoing funds,” said Randy Davis, Marysville Joint Unified School District board president. “The legislative language limits our participation in an existing consortium and doesn't require the consortium to include new members. It’s concerning that the language supports regional consortium leaders from withholding unspent funds from a newly established program that is meeting the same needs.”
According to the school district, “Experience, creativity and an innovative approach has helped grow this program to ensure that we are there to serve the neediest members of our large county. Marysville Joint Unified School District will actively seek alternatives to ensure this program remains self-funded for generations to come. The resilience of adult learners and the opportunities of the families to be back in the job market are not just concerns for Marysville Joint Unified School District — they are concerns for the entire county. Marysville Joint Unified School District has taken the necessary steps to get adults back in the job market and impact the economic growth of Yuba County.”