To Our Alt Ed Community,

I hope this message finds you well and thriving as we navigate another exciting school year. It’s an inspiring time to be a part of CCEA Plus, and I want to take a moment to celebrate the tremendous growth we’ve experienced as an organization. Our membership continues to expand, and with it, our collective influence in shaping the future of continuation and alternative education in California. This growth reflects not just numbers, but our shared commitment to improving the lives of the students we serve.

With more members, we are presented with greater opportunities for professional development, collaboration, and innovation. CCEA Plus is proud to offer an increasing array of opportunities for professional growth, from workshops and webinars to peer networking events. This year, we’re expanding our reach even further to include the many facets of alternative education, ensuring that we address the diverse needs of our educators and students alike. Whether you’re new to the field or a seasoned educator, there’s always something new to learn, and CCEA Plus is here to support your journey.

As we continue to grow, we encourage each of you to take an active role in our community. One of the most impactful ways you can get involved is by participating in the Model School process. This recognition program not only highlights best practices but also serves as a beacon of excellence for others to follow. If you’re passionate about elevating alternative education, consider volunteering at our annual conference, where we always need enthusiastic members to help make the event a success.

Additionally, we’re always looking for educators to facilitate conference workshops and share their expertise with peers. And don’t forget—our monthly newsletter is a fantastic platform for you to share insights, ideas, and success stories from your own experiences.

Together, we can make a difference. Let’s continue to elevate the standards of alternative education and support each other in this rewarding journey.

In 2021 a new paradigm emerged at Kings River as they struggled, as many continuation schools do, with minor, non-suspendible student behaviors. The idea of lunch detention was not an option as Kings River deemed that as punishment for both students and the staff who would be responsible for supervision. Not to mention the effectiveness rate of detention to change student behavior is low.

Flipped Detention is the PBIS strategy Kings River designed to combat negative behaviors, while simultaneously promote and reward behaviors that align to their student learner outcomes. “Detention” is now earned at Kings River! The trick, according to Principal Tillotson, is not to make it too easy, but not to make it too difficult as well.

The design of the program is as follows:

• A specific criteria is identified for the week (i.e. dress code, punctuality, attendance, restroom passes used, etc.)
• Every week is a new criteria (goal) for students to meet
• Reward is 15 minutes of extra lunchtime on Fridays with a light snack
• Golden Ticket is available and used at teacher’s discretion
• Kings River’s benchmark is to have 75 - 85% of students to qualify

Additionally, Flipped Detention reveals which students aren’t qualifying for the incentive. Principal Tillotson targets these students to determine the why and how to provide resources to assist students to qualify and bring them into the fold. Since implementing the Flipped Detention, Kings River has experienced a major difference in school culture. Students are determined to qualify for detention and not miss out on the extra lunchtime and snacks. Currently, 70 - 75 % of students qualify for detention!

This year, Kings River is offering two ROP courses - Work Study, which includes Wildland Firefighting certification, Security Guard certification and CPR certification and Certificated Nursing Assistant. Both classes require back-to-back periods to ensure that the minute requirement is met. This is the first year for CNA and so far it’s off to an amazing start. Kings River stressed to parents that students absolutely cannot miss school due to the minute requirement. As a result, attendance in that program has been nearly perfect, which is a tremendous accomplishment considering almost every student in the class was transferred to Kings River due to attendance issues. Kings River attributes the early success to the CNA teacher – they’re “absolutely amazing” according to Mr. Tillotson. Currently, the students are taking part in theory, which is work done entirely in the classroom. In the second semester, students will be working with residents at the Golden Living Facility in Sanger, an assisted living facility. In the late spring, they can test for their CNA license.

Kings River Work Study class involves multiple certifications, but the Wildland Firefighting is the most popular. This certification involves multiple trips to Reedley College and even an overnight trip to Lake Sequoia for hands-on training. A year ago, in a Kings River student was named ROP Ambassador. An impressive accomplishment as the Kings River senior outperformed nineteen other seniors of traditional high schools from six other districts to receive this accolade.

Lastly, a very exciting new opportunity at Kings River is its upgraded construction program, which is currently working with Fresno County's Tiny Houses Project. Like the other two programs, construction students are working double periods and through an advisory period to construct a "tiny house." The goal is to complete the project by the end of the year. The end product is a legitimate home that will likely either be sold or auctioned to the public.

Kings River is always looking to enhance CTE options. The agriculture course is currently undergoing a bit of a facelift and surveys will be distributed this semester to gauge interest in additional vocational courses. Kings River is grateful to Valley ROP for the opportunity to bring these courses on campus. It has been a game changer for students and the Kings River community as a whole!

Location: Sanger, CA

District: Sanger USD

District Pop: 46,693

Feeder Schools: 2

School Pop: 85 - 100

Certificated Staff: 8.5

Total Staff: 20

Model School Since: 2008

Traditional school models DID NOT WORK for our students, we have to think outside the traditional ideas and “grammar” of school to rebuild trust and value in education for these students. Rethink what “school” looks like, feels like, and sounds like. Connection above all else, and use every opportunity to collaborate WITH students on better choices, and opportunities.

The Kings River mission is to develop strong communicators capable of being successful lifelong learners. The faculty and staff at Kings River are committed to this vision by providing a supportive, nurturing, and stimulating environment for all students every day. The pursuit of Career and Technical Education combined with appropriate academic expectations gives each Kings River student the opportunity to enter the world of tomorrow with a skill set and confidence. Additionally, multiple avenues of Social and Emotional Learning are available to students as they navigate themselves through the post-pandemic world, while preparing for the demands of post-secondary training, whether it be college, trade schools or the military. Monarchs are making it happen!

- Jon Tillotson

Principal

Sierra High School’s (SHS) AP program offers students the opportunity to take AP Government and Politics and AP Studio Art; a college level class where they can earn high school credit and prepare for the AP Exams which can earn them college credit. Traditionally alternative education has been void of AP opportunities for students. As a result of feedback from stakeholders, it was identified that there was a desire and need to provide opportunities for students who wanted to challenge themselves. In 2016 this program was developed to give continuation high school students the opportunity to compete at an advanced academic level. Most students who enter SHS have never thought about post-secondary education, let alone AP classes. Many students, due to their barriers and past academic challenges, believed that their life path was to just get a job upon graduation and college was never an option. The goal of the AP program is to break stereotypes and have students defy the odds.

On average, between 15 to 30 students participate each year, which equates to 10 to 20 percent of our total student population. While enrolled in the class, students recognize they have the skills needed for post-secondary opportunities. This class creates an academic team that fosters a learning community with the desire to rise to the academic challenges. Students who do complete the class and take the AP exams have earned and are entitled to wear special sash and colored cord at graduation. While some students are able to graduate early, many stay until the end of the school year in order to take the AP exam.

The weighted GPA allows SHS students more opportunities to wear a white gown at graduation. The white gown is afforded to those who have earned a 4.0 GPA while at SHS. Overall it is an opportunity to be recognized for their academic achievement and a morale booster for students, staff and parents. In addition, the AP Program at SHS provides an opportunity to graduate high school equipped with the skills they acquired through taking AP class(es) and with college credits before graduating high school. Thus the student is building academic confidence, saving time and money by already having a head start on their college education. Over the past four years, 45 students have taken AP exams and 26% of AP students scored a 3 or higher on their exam. Scores were affected by the pandemic, in 2023, 47% students passed with a three or higher. These results do not include those students who returned to their home high school and completed the test there. The overall impact and cost to the district and school is minimal. Throughout the history of the AP program, the district has covered the cost of the exam thus making sure that cost was never a deterrent to taking the exam. In addition, the district pays for the AP training for teachers, and substitutes for teachers to proctor the exam.