2011 - 2012 Student Calendar - Helena College of Technology

Access to SuccessA Dropout Recovery/Reengagement InitiativeIn an effort to improve options for those students severely at-risk or who have completely droppedout of high school, the Helena School District began an exciting new initiative in the spring of 2008.Bringing together school district personnel, College personnel, and community members to identifythe needs of the community was the first step in creating a new pathway called Access to Success. Thispathway serves as a model dropout recovery/reengagement program in the Helena community.Access to Success is a high school diploma completion program with an emphasis on starting aprofessional certificate or degree in a high wage, high skill, and high demand career area while alsocompleting high school requirements. All coursework is provided in an adult learning environment.The program is housed on The University of Montana – Helena campus. Eligibility is limited to thosebetween the ages of 16-21 who meet minimum reading levels, who are not currently enrolled in highschool, and do not already have a high school diploma. Those not meeting eligibility requirements willbe referred to other skill-building programs within the district.In Access to Success, students have the opportunity to pursue their education in an adult learningenvironment, while also given the chance to obtain credits that count as dual credit towards their highschool diploma and professional certificate or degree. For students meeting the entry level courseplacement requirements, the option for dual credit will be provided at no cost to the student. Theprogram is funded through a combination of local adult education monies and in-kind match, whichincludes free tuition and classroom and office space provided by the two-year College.Students begin Access to Success as part of a small cohort group. Maintaining small class sizes isessential to creating a supportive environment. All students begin by taking a course titled “Strategiesfor Success” while concurrently taking courses required for their high school diploma or career path.Each student will be supported through individual case management and small class size. Studentsalso have access to all the support services provided on the UM-Helena campus.This is an exciting program that we feel has great potential. It is our hope that this opportunity willopen new doors for those in need within our community.For more information:Kari Schlemmer, Case Manager for Access to Success406-444-6849kari.schlemmer@umhelena.eduUM-Helena (Room 004)1115 N. Roberts StreetHelena, MT 596018 2011 - 2012 Academic Catalog UM-Helena College of Technology