Weld/Larimer County High School Diploma Program Marsha Harmon Aims Corporate Education Center 5590 W. 11th Street Greeley, CO 80634 (970) 339-6318 Marsha.harmon@aims.edu

State Legislation House Bill 98-1227 passed in August of 1998 Allowed for “On-Line Education Program” Students are not subject to “compulsory school attendance”

Diploma Program Started in 1998 with 10 slots 2005-06 enrollment 370 5 locations 14 school districts New program started at Pueblo Community College in 2003 New program started in Grand Junction 2004 New Program started at Colorado Mountain College 2005

State Requirements Diploma certified through the state of Colorado All curriculum aligned to Colorado State standards State certified teachers

Program Philosophy “Inherently, each of us has the substance within to achieve whatever our goals and dreams define. What is missing from each of us is the training, education, knowledge and insight to utilize what we already have.” Mark Twain Regular school: Time is the constant; learning is the variable Alternative program: Learning is the constant; time is the variable

Program Competency based Self-paced No credits Individualized No class lectures Twenty hours a week required – flexible schedule

Student Enrollment & Eligibility Schools determine individual eligibility and recommend students Students age 16-20 (school pays) Twenty-one and older (company or self-pay) Students must read at Work Keys level 3

Financial – School Funding School districts purchase slots Enroll students through school district Slots can be used by more than one student Schools are funded through state per pupil operating money

School Funding Example Schools receive $5,000 per pupil from state Aims charges $4,300 per slot 100 slots gives Aims $430,000 and the school $70,000 New money to schools

2003-2004 Revenue/Budget Revenues from 308 slots - $ 1,333,140.00 Expenditures – $ 879,872.00 Books, Work Keys assessments, facility rentals, all student and instructor supplies, etc. paid by Aims 11 teacher salaries – 30 hours per week (no benefits except PERA) 1 director, 2 secretarial staff, full time salaries Administrative fees to Aims Continuing Education Profit - $ 453,268.00

Curriculum ACT WorkKeys WIN Materials Compulsory Projects -Career Planning, Civics, Consumer Awareness, Technology Individualized Projects - Self-Awareness, Arts, Cultural Awareness

ACT WorkKeys Assessments Reading for Information Level 5 Applied Mathematics Level 5 Locating Information Level 4 Applied Technology Level 4 Observation Level 4 Teamwork Level 4 Listening & Writing Level 3 Business Writing Level 3

Worldwide Interactive Network (WIN) Materials Internet delivery -directly aligned to all 41 skill levels of Work Keys instruction 12 pre-Work Keys levels Meet SCANS objectives Aligned to Colorado state standards

Technology Lab 30 hour experience Hands-on lab Pneumatics, wind tunnels, robotics electronics, digital media, mechanical systems, science (astronomy, life science, earth science), etc. Lab equipment paid by business partners

Individualized Projects via Computer and Internet Projects include the arts, self awareness and health and social, cultural, and geographical awareness Are not limited in scope Can be written presentations, muti-media, community participation, etc. Portfolios are relevant to students’ individual needs

Graduation 269 graduates – May 2006 Lowers school drop-out rate Increases school graduation rate 1835 graduates since 1998

After Graduation Enroll at Aims Community College – 21% Enroll in Vocational Schools 36% Enlist in the Military- 6% Enter the Workforce-20%

Contacts WIN Teresa Chasteen 1000 Waterford Place Kingston, TN 37763 888/717-9461 www.w-win.com