Supporting At-Risk Youth in the Development of Programs of Study The Facts About ALS’ Dropout Prevention and Recovery Programs Jan Spivak Director of Student Services & College and Career Readiness Accelerated Learning Solutions 1

Partners in Education ALS schools are located in underserved and low-income areas. 81% of our students live in neighborhoods with average household incomes below the state average. 82% of the students are eligible for “free and reduced lunches”, an indicator of low family income. ALS schools are located in underserved and low-income areas. 81% of our students live in neighborhoods with average household incomes below the state average. 82% of the students are eligible for “free and reduced lunches”, an indicator of low family income schools in 7 Florida counties schools in 7 Florida counties – 23 schools in Florida, 1 school in North Carolina – 23 schools in Florida, 1 school in North Carolina

Partners in Education Only serve students who have already dropped out of school or are at-risk of dropping out. Only 8% of charter schools in the southeastern US serve this population of students. Only serve students who have already dropped out of school or are at-risk of dropping out. Only 8% of charter schools in the southeastern US serve this population of students. Partner with the public schools to address the needs of these at-risk students. As a result, ALS charter schools have positive, not adversarial relationships with local school districts. Partner with the public schools to address the needs of these at-risk students. As a result, ALS charter schools have positive, not adversarial relationships with local school districts. 3

Partners in Education Our students’ performance is attributed directly to our schools, not back to the students’ “home” high school. There is no negative impact on their high school’s A++ school grade or FCAT scores. Our students’ performance is attributed directly to our schools, not back to the students’ “home” high school. There is no negative impact on their high school’s A++ school grade or FCAT scores. ALS is the only SACS accredited school management company addressing dropout prevention in the state of Florida. Only 23% of Florida charter high schools are SACS accredited. ALS is the only SACS accredited school management company addressing dropout prevention in the state of Florida. Only 23% of Florida charter high schools are SACS accredited. 4

Programs of Study Secondary to postsecondary transition. Secondary to postsecondary transition. Helping students define and pursue career options through counseling and curricula. Helping students define and pursue career options through counseling and curricula. Exploring all possibilities, and establishing specific transition activities for students prior to graduating. Exploring all possibilities, and establishing specific transition activities for students prior to graduating. Maintaining a strong level of support with all students after graduation. Maintaining a strong level of support with all students after graduation. Addressing all factors that can be barriers to successful transitioning. Addressing all factors that can be barriers to successful transitioning. 5

Enrollment and Referrals At enrollment, the typical student is: At enrollment, the typical student is: 17 years old with 12 or less high school credits previously earned 17 years old with 12 or less high school credits previously earned Reading at or below the 8 th grade level Reading at or below the 8 th grade level Three years behind their 9th grade cohort – 90%+ are over-age for expected grade Three years behind their 9th grade cohort – 90%+ are over-age for expected grade Academically unsuccessful – 80+% are at FCAT (Florida) Level 1 or 2 Academically unsuccessful – 80+% are at FCAT (Florida) Level 1 or 2 Requiring special services – 10-20% need special education accommodations, 12-20% are English language learners and 8-12% are parenting, pregnant or caring for other children Requiring special services – 10-20% need special education accommodations, 12-20% are English language learners and 8-12% are parenting, pregnant or caring for other children 6

Enrollment and Referrals Students enrolling in the dropout prevention/recovery program have already dropped out or have been identified by their sending school as being at-risk of dropping out Students enrolling in the dropout prevention/recovery program have already dropped out or have been identified by their sending school as being at-risk of dropping out 80+% of students are referred by school principals and counselors because they had been identified as being at-risk of dropping out. 80+% of students are referred by school principals and counselors because they had been identified as being at-risk of dropping out. 7

Instruction and Assessment All classroom teachers are state certified and highly qualified in their subject area or are assigned an out of field waiver per No Child Left Behind requirements. Many have multiple certifications. All classroom teachers are state certified and highly qualified in their subject area or are assigned an out of field waiver per No Child Left Behind requirements. Many have multiple certifications. The instructional program is rigorous and aligned to Florida standards. The instructional program is rigorous and aligned to Florida standards. All graduates pass the FCAT (or earn concordant score on ACT or SAT) and earn a standard Florida diploma that is accepted by universities, colleges, training programs and the military services. All graduates pass the FCAT (or earn concordant score on ACT or SAT) and earn a standard Florida diploma that is accepted by universities, colleges, training programs and the military services. 8

Accountability Our contracts with sponsoring school districts provide for various levels of accountability. Our contracts with sponsoring school districts provide for various levels of accountability. School district authorizers hold the charter board and the management company to the academic and financial performance criteria stated in the charter application. School district authorizers hold the charter board and the management company to the academic and financial performance criteria stated in the charter application. Our partners include secondary, postsecondary, military, and industry leaders and representatives. Our partners include secondary, postsecondary, military, and industry leaders and representatives. 9

Accountability We guarantee to sponsoring districts that our students will complete courses and earn credits faster than these same students progressed at their previous schools. We guarantee to sponsoring districts that our students will complete courses and earn credits faster than these same students progressed at their previous schools. In Broward County student’s credit earning rate per semester at their prior school was In the school year, ALS Broward schools averaged 2.9 credits per semester. In Broward County student’s credit earning rate per semester at their prior school was In the school year, ALS Broward schools averaged 2.9 credits per semester. 10

Accountability The Florida Department of Education evaluates our performance. The Florida Department of Education evaluates our performance. Each of our schools participates in the state accountability system that compares Learning Gains among our enrolled students to the Learning Gains that these same students achieved at their prior schools. Each of our schools participates in the state accountability system that compares Learning Gains among our enrolled students to the Learning Gains that these same students achieved at their prior schools. We participate in the state’s extensive standardized testing program. We participate in the state’s extensive standardized testing program. We are also required to submit annual reports to the state Auditor General that demonstrate our fiscal soundness. We are also required to submit annual reports to the state Auditor General that demonstrate our fiscal soundness. 11

Student Achievement Achieving academic standards, graduating students from high school and securing postsecondary options for them. Achieving academic standards, graduating students from high school and securing postsecondary options for them. The credit earning rate in ALS schools is typically twice what these same students achieved in their prior schools (50% increase). The credit earning rate in ALS schools is typically twice what these same students achieved in their prior schools (50% increase). 70.5% of ALS students in 2012 graduated or are continuing their enrollment. 70.5% of ALS students in 2012 graduated or are continuing their enrollment. 60+% of graduates in 2012 went on to attend a two/four-year college, trade or technical school. 60+% of graduates in 2012 went on to attend a two/four-year college, trade or technical school. 12

Student Achievement ALS schools graduated over 2,200 students in the last 4 years. Most of these students would not have graduated without enrolling in this program. ALS schools graduated over 2,200 students in the last 4 years. Most of these students would not have graduated without enrolling in this program. In the graduating class of 2012, over 76% of graduates from all schools indicated intention to enroll in a 2 or 4 year college or university. In the graduating class of 2012, over 76% of graduates from all schools indicated intention to enroll in a 2 or 4 year college or university. 13

Programs of Study All students create an electronic portfolio that includes career inventories (interest, ability, aptitude, work skills) and postsecondary Plans of Study utilizing Florida CHOICES and School Connect, in relation to their college and career searches and plans. All students create an electronic portfolio that includes career inventories (interest, ability, aptitude, work skills) and postsecondary Plans of Study utilizing Florida CHOICES and School Connect, in relation to their college and career searches and plans. All students graduate with a complete postsecondary transition plan. All students graduate with a complete postsecondary transition plan. 14

Career Coach Each school has a Career Coach who: Each school has a Career Coach who: Works closely with students to teach resume writing, develop job skills and search for employment Works closely with students to teach resume writing, develop job skills and search for employment Facilitates Executive Internship and Personal, Career and School Development Skills courses Facilitates Executive Internship and Personal, Career and School Development Skills courses Assists students in completing employment, college, and financial aid applications Assists students in completing employment, college, and financial aid applications Schedules visits to postsecondary institutions for students and parents Schedules visits to postsecondary institutions for students and parents Coordinates college and career speakers and fairs Coordinates college and career speakers and fairs Completes a Postsecondary Transition Plan with all students regardless of grade level Completes a Postsecondary Transition Plan with all students regardless of grade level 15

Addressing Barriers to Postsecondary Success ALS schools provide extensive social services support and postsecondary coaching to students. ALS schools provide extensive social services support and postsecondary coaching to students. Each school delivers extensive community- based support services to a minimum of 300 students per school annually to address the obstacles that prevent academic success. Each school delivers extensive community- based support services to a minimum of 300 students per school annually to address the obstacles that prevent academic success. 16

Wrap-Around Student Services ALS schools provide services under 9 primary service categories: ALS schools provide services under 9 primary service categories: Individual/Family/Group Counseling Individual/Family/Group Counseling Crisis Intervention Crisis Intervention Case Management Case Management Child care Child care Health and Medical Health and Medical Postsecondary Preparation Postsecondary Preparation Employment Assistance/Training/Career Development & Planning Employment Assistance/Training/Career Development & Planning Job Opportunities, Internships & Apprenticeships Job Opportunities, Internships & Apprenticeships Mentoring Mentoring 17

Additional Services Graduating Seniors Graduating Seniors EXIT Interview EXIT Interview Postsecondary Transition Plan Postsecondary Transition Plan Academic Interventions Academic Interventions Individual/group support Individual/group support State assessment preparation State assessment preparation Other services Other services 18

Student Services Department A Family Support Specialist coordinates social services, conducts an initial assessment of each student and ensures that students receive the services that are needed to remove barriers to success. A Family Support Specialist coordinates social services, conducts an initial assessment of each student and ensures that students receive the services that are needed to remove barriers to success. A Career Coach advises students on post- secondary options and how to achieve their preferred choice after graduation. A Career Coach advises students on post- secondary options and how to achieve their preferred choice after graduation. Community Agencies & Providers Community Agencies & Providers University Bachelor and Graduate Level Interns in Social Work, Mental Health Counseling, or Teacher Education Programs. University Bachelor and Graduate Level Interns in Social Work, Mental Health Counseling, or Teacher Education Programs. 19

It’s Working! The contracts for the three schools in Broward, one school in Hillsborough, two schools in Lee and three schools in Orange Counties were due to expire at the end of the school year. All of the schools were renewed for terms from 5 to 15 years, and each school district board unanimously voted to renew the contracts. The contracts for the three schools in Broward, one school in Hillsborough, two schools in Lee and three schools in Orange Counties were due to expire at the end of the school year. All of the schools were renewed for terms from 5 to 15 years, and each school district board unanimously voted to renew the contracts. 20

Our Alumni ALS schools continue to serve students after graduation. ALS schools continue to serve students after graduation. Alumni provide additional support and facilitate presentations to current students. Alumni provide additional support and facilitate presentations to current students. Program of Study development and school support is ongoing for all ALS students. Program of Study development and school support is ongoing for all ALS students. 21

THANK YOU for your PARTNERSHIP! Jan Spivak Director of Student Services & College and Career Readiness Accelerated Learning Solutions