ACE re-design – we need you!

Collaborative and Thoughtful

What we know (or are curious about): ACE is Colorado specific, not national ACE is foundationally formed in support of Special Populations ACE now has their own student organization just like other CTE areas and it too is unique to the state Originated with FACS Core curriculum – historically in CO (world of work) ACE credential is heavy in SpEd and academic content, light in technical skill – There’s a disconnect of information ACE POS doesn’t really have any meaning? Some ACE programs may be double dipping into SpEd resources, is this okay?

The numbers… Data Enrollment: Combined 851 At-Risk 2,785 Severe Needs 64 Special Needs 1,614 Completion: Combined 248 At-Risk 655 Severe Needs 42 Special Needs 545 Postsecondary: Combined 92 At-Risk 157 Severe Needs 2 Special Needs 182 Employed: Combined 139 At-Risk 409 Severe Needs 14 Special Needs 318

Identified Problem: CCCS is seeing ACE programs being abused (programmatically, financially and philosophically) and loosing integrity of their purpose. We then ask: What is the purpose of ACE? What career(s) pathways do we prepare students in ACE programs for?

Help Us: What ACE is… Purposeful Prepare for CTE courses (intro level and beyond) Collaborative with CTE teachers Direct instruction on employment and training Multi-occupational Additional human support to students Academic Exposure to community life/contribute to society Intended to be experiential & authentic Individualized/differentiated learning Co-op is important and relevant (should be concurrent/intercurricular) Can be intervention for drop-out Tier II in RTI employment What ACE is NOT… Solely a work study program Credit recovery Dumping ground SpEd center program or SpEd only Just for alternative sites – (integrated into comprehensive high school) Stepping stone for getting into a CTE program solely FACS Core? Avid?

CTE ACE Programming Re-Design ACE = Supplemental Instruction for CTE Students in need of additional life and work skill support and/or who match the Perkins Special Populations* definition. SpEd/Academic state and federally funded life skills* Transition services: Vocational training Life skills Community experiences Agency linkages IEP IDEA ACE + SC 2 program approval credentialed instructor sequence of courses /Wheel 4 levels evolved into 4 developmentally appropriate pathways Levels: Career Exploratory/Essential Skill ACE CCR/PWR ACE Work Based Learning/Apprenticeship/Job ACE Credit Recovery ACE Inter/intra-curricular student organization Work/life skills* CTE: Technical Skill Program Approval Credentialed Instructor Technical skill application/attainment Sequence of courses Completer/concentrator Student organization Career/work skills*

Perkins *Special Populations Definition: academic and/or economic disadvantages/disabilities; limited English proficiency; current or past incarceration; long-term unemployment or underemployment; teenage pregnancy and parenthood; lack of education (dropouts or dropout risks); and non-traditional students.

ACE POS with draft edits. Proposal+ add an ACE column to each CTE content areas’ POS. What do you think?

CTE ACE Programing Re-Design tentative Timeline (‘16-’21 aligned with GG) New philosophy rollout from CCCS to the field + develop communication plan (aligned with multiple pathways to graduation) Administrative Handbook edits made Design Committee formed Plan of Study revision begin New program approvals received are conditional with revision by Fall 2017 (not allowed = integrated credentials) Technical assistance increase + ACE Board re-direct Establishment of ‘insight’ group to facilitate re-brand and re-design Phase 1 Now – Fall 2017 Plan + Develop Continued communication plan + technical assistance + program approval guidance Begin technical assistance with pilot programs Continued Design Committee meetings and outcomes Engage in curriculum development Sample Program Approvals made available Compile model programming Development of Menu of Options for promising practices Phase 2 Fall 2017-Spring 2018 Integrate + Pilot All ACE programs in Colorado are in different levels of re-design with intention to evaluation, pilot, curriculum, evidence outcomes and student results Constant evaluation and reflection Continued technical assistance by CCCS and Design Committee Program Approval systems redone POS complete Phase 3 Fall 2018 – Spring 2019 Evaluate + Roll Out

Let’s Discuss Pros + Cons Backlash + Welcoming Student Issues Program Issues Instructor Issues Policy implementation Impact Access Do you want to be on the Design Committee or know someone who would be perfect? What are we missing? What can we be sure we have in place to support? What does support look like? How do you see this rolling out in your district/school? How do you see this fitting with your 5 year plans? How do you see this aligning with your other secondary initiatives (teacher effectiveness, UIP, ICAP, GG and demonstration of student growth) What else?