School District Approves Controversial Medical Assisting Textbook

In a recent government meeting, officials discussed the adoption of a new textbook for the medical assisting program, which has been approved for use starting next year. The textbook, titled \"Medical Assisting: Administrative and Clinical Competencies,\" is published by Cengage and was initially approved by the Elko County School District in 2020, followed by endorsements from the Nevada Department of Education and the State Board of Education.

Currently, 91 students are enrolled in the program, which aims to prepare them for careers as medical assistants. Two local doctors from Carson Medical Group, Dr. Kara Fox and Dr. Jeffrey Saunders, are serving on the advisory technical skills committee and expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity to hire qualified graduates from the program.

During the meeting, concerns were raised regarding the adequacy of the textbook's electronic formats and alignment with Nevada academic content standards. Some committee members noted discrepancies in ratings from reviewers, with one rating the electronic format as inadequate while another praised its functionality. The discussion highlighted the limited availability of approved educational materials for technical education programs, with the Cengage textbook being the only option currently available.

Officials acknowledged the necessity of using state-approved materials despite some perceived weaknesses, emphasizing that without these resources, the program could not be offered. The budget for the textbook adoption is estimated at around $30,000, with potential funding from state and federal sources. Negotiations for the contract length are ongoing, with a preference for a term of three to four years due to the rapid evolution of educational materials.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to explore additional funding opportunities, including a second round of Perkins funding, to support the acquisition of necessary materials for the program.