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Alternative Cooperative Education (ACE)
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The Alternative Cooperative Education or ACE program is a CTE program created with the ultimate goal of preparing young adults to be occupationally effective, socially responsible, and functionally independent in mind.
The ACE program provides positive experiences which enable students to achieve success in school as well as prepare them for the working world. Through the ACE program, students will have the opportunity to earn up to 3 credits per semester.
The ACE program is designed to enhance employment-related skills for 11th and 12th-grade students.
ACE Courses
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ACE Career Dev 1
As developmentally appropriate, this course (or series of courses) is designed for students to create an individual, initial career plan that outlines steps to reach their career goal. Students will identify a career goal based on the results of various assessments, i.e. interest survey, aptitude evaluation, academic skills, learning styles, work preferences, etc. Students will also investigate the training and educational requirements (academic planning & postsecondary options) for their chosen career field. Students should be able to articulate short-term action necessary to achieve the goal(s) in their career plan, including intentional academic planning, high school choices based on self-awareness, career exploration, and postsecondary aspirations. Computer literacy skills and leadership skills tied to a CTSO should be embedded into the curriculum whenever possible.
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ACE Career Dev 2
As developmentally appropriate, this course (or series of courses) is designed to teach skills needed for entry into the workforce. Students will demonstrate successful job search strategies. Students will demonstrate employability ability to accurately complete job applications, write a resume and ask for letters of recommendation. Students will examine model interviews and then participate in their own interview simulations. Students will be able to advocate for accommodations or adaptations necessary to be successful on the job. Students will be knowledgeable of the environmental expectations of the workplace. Additionally, students will be introduced to personal financial literacy skills including: financial planning, budgeting, saving, credit, paycheck calculation, and fees. Students practice appropriate communication, teamwork, problem-solving while working in a group environment. Whenever possible, computer literacy skills, and leadership skills tied to a CTSO should be embedded into the curriculum.
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ACE Career Dev 3
As developmentally appropriate, this course (or series of courses) is designed for students to learn about various employability skills necessary to meet and exceed employer expectations on the job by developing workplace skills such as interpersonal communication, teamwork, leadership, critical thinking and ethical decision making in the workplace. Students will evaluate employee benefit plans (medical, dental, vision, worker?s compensation, unemployment, retirement plan, employee discounts, educational incentives, etc.). Additionally, students will recognize opportunities for advancement on the job. Students will become familiar with workplace laws and policies including: Child Labor Laws, Fair Labor Act, Equal Employment Opportunity, Workplace Safety (OSHA), Americans with Disability Act (disability disclosure as appropriate), Sexual Harassment (definition, scenarios, appropriate behavior, policies and procedures). Whenever possible, computer literacy skills, and leadership skills tied to a CTSO should be embedded into the curriculum.
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ACE Business Management
This course serves as an application of financial literacy, management of a business, and entrepreneurship. As developmentally appropriate, this course (or series of courses) is designed for students to learn and practice financial literacy, decision-making, and management skills for their personal and professional lives. Students will understand and practice basic strategies to develop a business plan, organize and manage a business venture; accounting methodologies, budgeting and bookkeeping procedures, customer service, team building, and supervisory skills; and business and community networking strategies. They will become familiar with ownership and management structures and leadership styles. Students will develop a business plan and organize and manage a business venture. Computer literacy skills and leadership skills tied to a CTSO should be embedded into the curriculum whenever possible.
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ACE Capstone-Portfolio
Students critique and formulate skills to complete a multifaceted learning portfolio that serves as a culminating academic and intellectual experience for students in pathway programs. Instruction and experience may include topic selection, portfolio creation, and community connections; employability skills such as oral communication, public speaking, research skills, computer literacy, and teamwork; academic planning skills such as self-sufficiency and goal-setting, and postsecondary workforce readiness skills that will help prepare them for college, modern careers, and adult life. Students will demonstrate knowledge and skill levels for the environmental expectations of postsecondary options and intentional academic planning based on self-awareness and career exploration. This course is designed to meet or exceed the current Colorado Graduation Guideline menu option for Capstone.
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ACE Financial Literacy 1
This course focuses on personal financial literacy. As developmentally appropriate, this course (or series of courses) is designed for students to learn and practice financial literacy, decision-making, and management skills for their personal and professional lives. Students will create and modify budgets according to new circumstances. Students will practice basic banking activities such as check writing, debit card use, deposits and keeping track of a spending register, exploring online banking and banking apps, and comparing and comparing several types of financial institutions. Students will examine the benefits and detriments of managing credit. Students will apply a practical application of fiscal management topics such as renting vs owning, mortgage calculators, new car vs used car purchase, how to get a car loan, financial calculator use, understanding payroll deductions and benefits, income tax and filing taxes, and comparing and contrasting insurance possibilities. Students will demonstrate knowledge of FAFSA, loans, grants, scholarships, and other postsecondary financial support. They will examine the many ways to invest money and participate in simulations involving investing. Whenever possible, computer literacy skills and leadership skills tied to a CTSO should be embedded into the curriculum.
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ACE Community Work-Based Learning 1-8
As developmentally appropriate, this course (or a series of courses) is designed for students to enhance their employment skills by participating in community-based work experience (paid or unpaid). A training plan and evaluation (to be filled out by the supervisor/employer) will be developed listing job-specific technical skills the student will learn during the experience. Hours worked will be documented. Students will demonstrate self-awareness, career exploration, academic planning based on postsecondary aspirations and realistic options, employability skills, and environmental expectations. ACE teachers serve as coaches and mentors, regularly checking in with supervisors/ employees. (As a pre-requisite, students should have already taken or be simultaneously enrolled in the ACE Career Development (CD I-III) course sequence. VE.ACEWE2* (Course will offer VE.ACEWE21-ACEWB28 for 8 semester opportunities)
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ACE In-School Work-Based Learning 1-8
As developmentally appropriate, this course (or a series of courses) is designed for students to develop basic employment skills by participating in an in-school work/school-based enterprise experience. A training plan and evaluation (to be filled out by the supervisor/employer) will be developed listing job-specific technical skills the student will learn during the experience. Hours worked will be documented. Students will demonstrate self-awareness, career exploration, postsecondary option knowledge, and employability skills. ACE teachers serve as coaches and mentors, regularly checking in with supervisors/ employees. (As a pre-requisite, students should have already taken opportunities in the ACE Career Development (CD I-III) course sequence) opportunities VE.ACEWE1* (Courses will offer VE.ACEWE11-ACEWB18 for 8 semester opportunities)
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ACE Intentional Work-Based Learning 1-8
As developmentally appropriate, this course (or a series of courses) is designed for students to refine career-specific skills and knowledge by participating in intentional work experience within the field listed in their career plan. These experiences may include internships, apprenticeships, competitive employment, etc. A training plan and evaluation (to be filled out by the supervisor/employer) will be developed listing job-specific technical skills the student will learn during the experience. Hours worked will be documented. Students will demonstrate levels of self-awareness, career exploration, intentional academic planning based upon postsecondary aspirations, realistic options, and the environmental expectations of the workplace, as well as personal financial literacy. ACE teachers serve as coaches and mentors, checking in with supervisors/ employees regularly. (As a pre-requisite, students should have already taken or be simultaneously enrolled in the ACE Career Development (CD I-III) course sequence. VE.ACEWE3* (Course will offer VE.ACEWE31-ACEWB38 for 8 semester opportunities)
Schools offering the ACE program
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Coronado
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Doherty
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Mitchell
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Tesla Educational Opportunity School