CURRICULUM FUNDING PROJECT
Funding Agency: American Association of Colleges of Nursing
Funding Request: $230,000 for 4 years.
Principal Investigator: Krista Botton
Co-Investigators: Sue Albert, COC Nursing program, William S. Hart High School District
science departments and staff, William S. Hart High School District counseling staff
Project Name: Nursing Program Articulation between the William S. Hart High School
District and College of the Canyons Program of Nursing.
Investigator Credentials:
o Principal Investigator: Krista Botton will have a M.A. in Science Education to be earned
in May 2008 at California State University, Northridge. Credentialed Biology/Life
Science teacher in the State of California. Undergraduate work completed May 2002 at
California State University, Northridge with a B.A. in Biology and minor in Chemistry;
graduated Cum Laude. Currently teaching 9th grade biology and 11th/12th grade Human
Anatomy and Physiology at Saugus High School in the William. S. Hart High School
District. Advisor to the Health Science Career Pathway program.
o Administrator/Evaluator: Sue Albert, assistant dean of the College of the Canyon’s Allied
Health Department. Ms. Albert has successfully overseen and expanded COC’s Nursing
Program and has won many grants to assist the program and its expansion. Ms. Albert
has testified before Congress on the importance of funding and support of nursing
programs in the United States to meet the nursing needs of our nation.
PROBLEM STATEMENT
Currently in the United States there is a shortage that threatens the health and safety of all
citizens: a shortage of nurses. This crisis has come about for a number of reasons: 1) advances in
the medical field allowing individuals to live longer and the advancing age of baby boomers
leading to more people in need of care, 2) increasing populations leading to a greater number of
individuals being ill at any given time, 3) the increasing need for nurses outside of hospitals
(home health care, schools, camps, film shoots, special events, etc.), and 4) the aging workforce
of nurses (average age of 45) who are retiring and will need to be replaced. None of these
pressures contributing to the shortfall of nurses is likely to end soon; rather, we are likely to see
continued increase in the shortages of the nursing field.
Because of this shortage, CBS News (January 2003) has reported that emergency rooms
are shutting down, surgeries have been delayed and frequently, patients are not getting the
critical care they may desperately need. This is due in part to the fact that there are over 120,000
open positions for registered nurses. The CBS report also claims that a Harvard-Vanderbilt study
showed a direct correlation between the lack of nurses and potentially fatal complications with
patients.
According to Dr. Peter Buerhaus and colleagues (2008) in their report titled “The Future
of the Nursing Workforce in the United States: Data, Trends and Implications,” the demand for
Registered Nurses is likely to increase by 2-3 percent each year. This means that our nursing
shortage could reach 500,000 by 2025. In California, the nursing shortage is particularly severe.
In terms of per capita nurses, California ranks second to last. In order to keep up with the
growing population, California will need to add a minimum of 25,000 new nurses over the next
several years.
In November 2007, the Monthly Labor Review published by the US Bureau of Labor
Statistics indicated that over one million nurses will be needed by 2016. In addition, government
analysts have projected that an additional number of 587,000 nursing positions will be created
through the year 2016, an almost 24% increase! This will make the nursing position the top
profession in terms of expected growth.
In order to meet the need for more nurses, our schools should be expanding enrollment to
meet the rising demand. An independent group of health care leaders from the University of
Pennsylvania released a statement in March of 2008 titled, “The Council on Physician and Nurse
Supply.” In this statement they determined that in order to meet our nation’s health care needs,
campuses should be graduating an increased 30,000 nurses annually. This is 30% over the
current number of annual nursing graduates.
Contrary to the need, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) has
reported only a 5.4% enrollment increase in the number of individuals entering a baccalaureate
program in nursing from 2006 to 2007. This increase falls far short of the demand for new
nurses. Shortfall remedies may be found in creative staffing, hiring nurses from overseas,
rehiring retirees, or decreasing the education and/or certification requirements for the nursing
career.
One way to decrease the disparity between the needed graduates and the program
enrollees is to articulate the education between the high schools and the local colleges offering
nursing programs. By aligning and articulating the courses between the campuses candidates
could be assured of credit for course work completed and the admission to a nursing program in
college.
ACTIVITIES
College of the Canyons in Santa Clarita teaches a two-year registered nursing program.
The program is accredited by the State Board of Registered Nurses and the National League for
Nursing. The nursing program has been designed to prepare students for the knowledge and
responsibilities that are required for entry-level nursing. Upon graduation from the program,
students receive an Associate Degree in Nursing and are encouraged to take the national license
examination necessary to become a registered nurse.
The College of the Canyons Nursing Program has earned much respect and support in the
community. College of the Canyons Nursing Program has established a partnership with Henry
Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital also in Santa Clarita. Coordinated by Sue Albert, assistant
dean of the college’s allied health department, the partnership has created a new program to
attract prospective nurses to the field through the establishment of an education center on the
hospital’s campus where students will receive training and employment in a real-world setting.
In this program, a select group of students are hired to receive 80% pay for 67% time work. This
is a tremendous benefit for students in the program because they are receiving a steady paycheck
in an actual nursing setting, time to study for their program, and an incentive to succeed in the
field of nursing. College of the Canyons has received many grants, including one for $400,000
from the Weingart Foundation to aid a collaborative led by College of the Canyons to create of
similar first-year nursing programs at other area campuses including Los Angeles Valley
College, Los Angeles Pierce College, Glendale College and Ventura College.
In order to be accepted in the nursing program (LVN to RN) at College of the Canyons,
students must have met the following prerequisites at the college level:
o English 101
o Anatomy
o Physiology
o Microbiology
o Math 060 (Algebra)
The William S. Hart High School District offers many of these courses at its six campuses in
Santa Clarita. The courses offered at the high schools include Human Anatomy & Physiology,
Microbiology, Algebra and English (AP and Honors levels). The proposal is that courses taken
in the William S. Hart District schools may be able to fulfill the prerequisites required by
College of the Canyons Nursing Program enabling students to enter the nursing program directly
after high school. Guidelines will be ratified by the committee who meets for planning and
development of curriculum, but it is suggested that high school classes completed at the level of
B or higher for those students who also successfully pass placement testing for both math and
English and the nursing assessment test will count as the prerequisites to enter the nursing
program.
In order to establish a successful relationship between the William S. Hart District High
Schools and the Nursing Program at College of the Canyons, instructors will meet to design and
plan curriculum so that standards are aligned to avoid gaps in the necessary training and
education of nurses. Articulation will take place at the one of the district high schools between
five College of the Canyons staff: two Nursing Program instructors, one professor of Anatomy
and Physiology, and one professor of Microbiology and eighteen William S. Hart High School
personnel: six teachers of anatomy and physiology and six teachers of microbiology (one from
each of the six campuses in the district), and six counselors (one from each campus).
This committee will meet to discuss, plan and align curriculum including labs and
dissections over a two-week period in the summer. Participants will also practice lessons during
this two week period to assess success and understanding of the lessons generated. The
committee will also meet to revisit and evaluate the lessons in actual classes over three days
during the school year: once each in the fall, winter and spring quarters. In the second year, the
committee will meet during the summer to adjust lessons and train new teachers as the program
grows. Participants will also have the opportunity to practice lessons during this period to assess
success and understanding of the lessons. This second year will also have three days during the
school year for evaluation and assessment of lessons in practice: one in the fall, winter and
spring quarters. After this period, students from the first graduating class will be entering the
Nursing Program at College of the Canyons. The committee will meet only three times in each
of the third and forth years. Each meeting will be for single days only to discuss and compare
progress and make adjustments as necessary for the continued success of the articulation
program.
To measure the success of the program, enrollment in the programs will be evaluated.
Both the enrollment in Wm. S. Hart School District’s anatomy and physiology classes and
microbiology classes, and the number of students who then enroll in the College of the Canyons
Nursing Program will be measured. With a successful articulation, the numbers of enrollees
should increase over the period of the study. The goal of this articulation is that enrollment in
Hart District classes increase by a minimum of 20% in the first four years (the actual number of
students will vary from campus to campus). In addition, to measure the success of the
articulation program, it is a goal that a minimum of twelve students enter the nursing program
directly after graduation from high school in the third year of articulation (the first group of
students to graduate after initiation of the articulation program). The number should increase by
10% in the year that follows to show the continued success of the program.
The success and ability of the students who are accepted into the Nursing Program from
the Hart District schools will also be measured against the success and ability of their peers. If
students in the Nursing program from the Hart District are comparable to the students in the
Nursing program from other campuses or from College of the Canyon’s own undergraduate
program then the articulation program can be considered successful. If there is an increase in the
number of students who enter the Nursing Program at College of the Canyons and these students
are successful in this program, then the articulation program can be considered successful.
Through a successful articulation, the Wm. S. Hart School District and College of the Canyons
will be doing its part in this small corner of the country to aid in the shortfall of nurses currently
being experienced.
DISTRIBUTION AND CONTINUATION
This program, if successful, should be able to continue with minimal additional funding.
Both of the participating parties should be able to continue the articulation of their programs as
long as teachers, counselors and administrators are aware of the articulation program and
continue to work to maintain the guidelines that have been established by the meeting
committee. This should be monitored and maintained by the department chairs and counselors
of each Hart District high school campus.
The success and discoveries of this articulation will be made available on web pages for
the Hart District, College of the Canyons, and each individual high school campus. In addition,
the local media (The Signal, The Daily News, and KHTS 1220) will be provided with
information about the successes of the program which can be used as a part of their local news
sections. This will also serve to advertise for the program and increase community and student
awareness of the articulation program. Meeting committee members may also be able to present
successes, discoveries and information about articulating other programs at conferences with
additional funding for the committee members.
TIMELINE
Articulation committee:
o COC staff: 1 professor of Anatomy/Physiology, 1 professor of Microbiology, 2 Nursing
instructors, TOTAL = 4 staff
o Wm. S. Hart District Staff: 1 Anatomy and Physiology teacher, 1 Microbiology teacher, 1
counselor from each of the 6 high school campuses, TOTAL = 18 staff
Year 1
o Summer – Articulation committee meets for 2 weeks (8 hours/day with compensation) to
discuss, align and plan curriculum in the prerequisite courses. Articulation committee will
have the opportunity to conduct practice lessons to high school students (5 days at 4 hours)
to ensure quality of lessons. Committee will also determine the minimum requirements
necessary to enter the Nursing Program immediately after graduation from high school.
o Fall – Articulation committee will meet* to evaluate and revisit lessons, comparing
successes and challenges. If time, additional lessons may be developed.
o Winter – same goals as fall meeting.
o Spring – same goals as fall meeting.
Year 2
o Summer – Articulation committee meets for 1 week (8 hours/day with compensation) to
discuss, align and plan curriculum in the prerequisite courses and to train three additional
Hart District teachers. Articulation committee will have the opportunity to conduct practice
lessons to high school students (2 days at 4 hours) to ensure quality of lessons. Committee
will revisit the requirements necessary to enter the Nursing Program immediately after
graduation from high school.
o Fall – Articulation committee will meet* to evaluate and revisit lessons, comparing
successes and challenges. If time, additional lessons may be developed.
o Winter – same goals as fall meeting.
o Spring – same goals as fall meeting.
Year 3 and 4
o Fall – Articulation committee will meet* to evaluate and revisit lessons, comparing
successes and challenges. Committee will identify students from Hart District entering the
Nursing Program at COC. If time, additional lessons may be developed.
o Winter – same goals as fall meeting, nursing program participants will be tracked, analyzed
and discussed.
o Spring – same goals as fall meeting, nursing program participants will be tracked, analyzed
and discussed.
*Meeting dates during the school year will pay COC staff compensation (6 hrs/day) and Hart
District teachers will be granted release time with sub pay.
BUDGET
Budget
Year
Overall
Overall
Overall
Overall
Overall
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
3
3
4
4
Item
Indirect
Administrator/Evaluator ($7500/year)
Equipment for Wm. S. Hart Teachers:
models, dissection equipment, microscopes,
gel electrophoresis, etc. 6 campuses X $2500
each
Meals/Coffee for summer planning and
articulation days Year 1: 13 days, 22 staff,
$10/day, Year 2: 8 days, 25 staff, $10/day,
Year 3: 8 days, 25 staff, $10/day
Advertising of program (paper, posters)
Articulation/Lesson Planning - teachers [22
staff, 10 days, 8 hours, $35/hr]
Practice Classes [10 students, 5 days, 4
hours, $8/hr (min. wage)]
Evaluation of program - COC Staff costs only
[4 staff, 3 days, 6 hours, $35/hr.]
Sub days for Hart District teachers only [3
days, 12 subs @ $220]
Revisit of Lesson Articulation, revision and
new lesson development, training new
teachers (3), [25 staff, 5 days, 8 hours,
$35/hr]
Practice Classes [10 students, 2 days, 4
hours, $8/hr (min. wage)]
Evaluation of program - COC Staff costs only
[4 staff, 3 days, 6 hours, $35/hr.]
Sub days for Hart District teachers only [3
days, 15 subs @ $220]
Evaluation of program - COC Staff costs only
[4 staff, 3 days, 6 hours, $35/hr.]
Sub days for Hart District teachers only [3
days, 15 subs @ $220]
Evaluation of program - COC Staff costs only
[4 staff, 3 days, 6 hours, $35/hr.]
Sub days for Hart District teachers only [3
days, 15 subs @ $220]
Total
$230,000
Cost
$34,500
$30,000
Budget Left
$195,500
$165,500
% of Budget
15.0%
13.0%
$15,000
$150,500
6.5%
$5,488
$145,012
2.4%
$150
$144,862
0.1%
$61,600
$83,262
26.8%
$1,600
$81,662
0.7%
$840
$80,822
0.4%
$7,920
$72,902
3.4%
$35,000
$37,902
15.2%
$640
$37,262
0.3%
$2,520
$34,742
1.1%
$9,900
$24,842
4.3%
$2,520
$22,322
1.1%
$9,900
$12,422
4.3%
$2,520
$9,902
1.1%
$9,900
$2
4.3%
$229,998
KRISTA BOTTON
 22403 Laurel Place  Saugus, CA 91390 
 Home (661) 296-7189  Cell (661) 510-8899 
_______________________________________________________________________
 OBJECTIVE 
Secondary Science Biology/Life Sciences Teacher
 EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATES 
Master in Science Education
California State University, Northridge 2008
Teacher Education Program, Biology/Life Science Single Subject Clear Credential
California State University, Northridge 2004
Bachelor of Arts, Biology
California State University, Northridge 2001
GPA 3.88, Minor: Chemistry

 QUALIFICATIONS 
Accomplished and enthusiastic science educator with a deep commitment to development of
knowledgeable, science-literate students.
 Skilled in the ability to generate student interest through the creation of lessons that enrich,
challenge and motivate the diverse needs of students.
 Involved and active team member on staff who has effectively participated in staff development and
training, WASC accreditation process, and articulation with local Junior High school teachers
 Assisted in the development of the career pathway program to emphasize the relevance of class
material to the world beyond the classroom
 TEACHING EXPERIENCES 
SAUGUS HIGH SCHOOL, Saugus, CA
 Science Teacher

Biology (9th grade)

Human Anatomy & Physiology (11th and 12th grade)

Advanced Physical Science
 Girls Varsity and Junior Varsity Swim Coach
 Health Science Career Pathway Advisor
August 2002 – Present
EMBLEM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, Saugus, CA
 Long-term Substitute Teacher, Kindergarten Classroom
April 2002 – June 2002
LA MESA JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL, Canyon Country, CA
 Long-term Substitute Teacher, 7th grade Classroom
January 2002 – March 2002
WM. S. HART HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT, Santa Clarita, CA
 Substitute Teacher, All subjects, grade levels and classrooms
August 2001 – August 2002
SAUGUS UNION ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT, Santa Clarita, CA
 Substitute Teacher, All grade levels and classrooms
August 2001 – August 2002
Fall
Fall
Fall
Fall
Fall
2002
2004
2003
2002
2004
– Present
– Present
– Present
– Spring 2007
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA, Santa Clarita, CA
June 1990 – October 2000
 Pool Manager, Lifeguard, Junior Lifeguard Coordinator, Swim Coach, Outreach Program Coordinator

Created and directed community (adult, adolescent, and child) and staff education programs