Alternative Cooperative Education (ACE) Program

Alternative Cooperative Education (ACE) is a multi-occupational pathway that facilitates individualized, developmentally appropriate programming necessary to support CTE students successfully. This includes students identified as Special Populations. ACE CTE Programming is developed through collaboration with educators, business representatives and community stakeholders. The collaboration creates locally responsive, relevant work-based & school-based learning experiences.

Suggested Course Sequence

Level 1 Courses

8833S1 - ACE CAREER DEVELOPMENT I - CAREER PLANNING

5 Elective Credits

Offered at: FCHS, FRHS, PHS, RMHS, TMHS, Polaris, Transitions Pathway Academy

Course Description
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 upon 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. Whenever possible, computer literacy skills, and leadership skills tied to a CTSO should be embedded into the curriculum. (5 elective credits) This course is offered at the following schools: CHS, FCHS, FRHS, PHS, RMHS, Cooper Home, Project Search

8834 - ACE FINANCIAL LITERACY

5 Financial Literacy Credits

 

Offered at: CHS, FCHS, FRHS, PHS, RMHS, PCA, Polaris

Course Description
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, decisionmaking, and management skills for their personal and professional lives. Students will create and modify budgets according to new circumstances. Students will be practicing basic banking activities such as check writing, debit card use, deposits and keeping track of a spending register and explore online banking and banking apps and compare and contrast several types financial institutions. Students will examine the benefit and detriment of managing credit. Students will apply 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 supports. 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. (5 financial literacy credits) This course is offered at the following schools: CHS, FCHS, FRHS, PHS, RMHS

8836 - ACE IN-SCHOOL WORK-BASED LEARNING I

5 Elective Credits

 

Offered at: CHS, FCHS, FRHS, PHS, RMHS, TMHS, PCA, Transitions Pathway Academy

Course Description
As developmentally appropriate, this course (or 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 levels of self-awareness, career exploration, postsecondary option knowledge and employability skills. ACE teachers serves as a coach and mentor checking in with supervisor/employer regularly. (As a pre-requisite, students should have already taken or be simultaneously enrolled in the ACE Career Development (CD I-III) course sequence) (5 elective credits) This course is offered at the following schools: CHS, FCHS, FRHS, PHS, RMHS

Level 2 Courses

8833S2 - ACE CAREER DEVELOPMENT II - JOB SEEKING

5 Elective Credits

Offered at: FCHS, PHS, RMHS, TMHS, WMHS, Transitions Pathway Academy

Course Description
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 skill ability to accurately complete job applications, write a resume 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 taxes. 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. (5 elective credits) This course is offered at the following schools: CHS, FCHS, FRHS, PHS, RMHS

8835 - ACE BUSINESS & ENTREPRENEURSHIP

5 Economics Credits

Offered at: CHS, FCHS, FRHS, PHS, RMHS, TMHS, WMHS, Polaris

Course Description
This course serves as an application of financial literacy, management of 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 and 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. Whenever possible, computer literacy skills and leadership skills tied to a CTSO should be embedded into the curriculum. (5 economics credits) This course is offered at the following schools: CHS, FCHS, FRHS, PHS, RMHS

8837 - ACE COMMUNITY WORK-BASED LEARNING II 

  • Capstone Opportunity

 

Offered at: FCHS, FRHS, PHS, RMHS, Transitions Pathway Academy

Course Description
As developmentally appropriate, this course (or 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 levels of self-awareness, career exploration, postsecondary option knowledge and employability skills. ACE teachers serves as a coach and mentor checking in with supervisor/employer regularly. (As a pre-requisite, students should have already taken or be simultaneously enrolled in the ACE Career Development (CD I-III) course sequence) (variable elective credit) This course is offered at the following schools: CHS, FCHS, FRHS, PHS, RMHS

Level 3 And 4 Courses

8581 - ACE CAREER DEVELOPMENT III - JOB KEEPING

5 Elective Credits

Offered at: FRHS, Transitions Pathway Academy

Course Description
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. (5 elective credits) This course is offered at the following schools: CHS, FCHS, FRHS, PHS, RMHS

8583 - ACE INTENTIONAL WORK-BASED LEARNING III

Variable Elective Credit

Offered at: FRHS, Transitions Pathway Academy

 

Course Description
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, academic planning based off of postsecondary aspirations and realistic options, employability skills, and environmental expectations. ACE teachers serves as a coach and mentor checking in with supervisor/employer regularly. (As a pre-requisite, students should have already taken or be simultaneously enrolled in the ACE Career Development (CD I-III) course sequence) (variable elective credit) This course is offered at the following schools: CHS, FCHS, FRHS, PHS, RMHS

8848 - ACE CAPSTONE

5 Elective Credits

Offered at: FCHS, WMHS

Course Description
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 experiences may include: topic selection, portfolio creation, community connections; employability skills such as: oral communication, public speaking, research skills, computer literacy, teamwork; the 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 levels of knowledge and skill 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. (5 elective credits) This course is offered at the following schools: CHS, FCHS, FRHS, PHS, RMHS

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FRCC

Front Range Community College

Career Pathways

ACE Coordinators

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Centennial High School

Cassidy Montoya

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Fort Collins High School

Greg Brigham

Fossil Ridge High School

Cristi Thomas
Kim Eberhart

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Poudre Community Academy

Melinda Hartney

PHS

Poudre High School

Suzanne Spezzano

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Timnath Middle High School

Troy Tolar

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Wellington Middle High School

Melissa Newbanks

RMHS

Rocky Mountain High School

Chris Rosazza

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Polaris Expeditionary School

Bridget Berthold

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Transitions Pathways

Dustin Noden
Marie Romel