Continuation High Schools Give More Students the Opportunity to Graduate

MORENO VALLEY >> State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson recently announced the designation of 37 model continuation high schools for 2016. These schools, some of which are located in Riverside County, are being recognized for their innovative teaching approaches that enable students with diverse needs to complete their high school education. “I commend these schools for their exceptional work in keeping our students on the path to career and college readiness” Torlakson said. “Thanks to the guidance and support offered, our students leave with a high-quality education and the self-confidence required to build a better future”. Continuation high schools meet the needs of students ages 16 years and older who have not graduated from high school, are at risk of not graduating, and are not exempt from compulsory school attendance. The minimum attendance is 15 hours per week or 180 minutes daily. Students benefit from the supplemental programs and services offered, such as independent study courses, career counseling, job placement, apprenticeships, and concurrent enrollment in community college. More than 60,000 students attended the state’s 460 continuation high schools in the 2014–15 school year. The Model Continuation High School Recognition Program is a partnership between the California Department of Education (CDE) and the California Continuation Education Association (CCEA). A benefit of this joint effort is the establishment of a resource list of quality programs which can serve as models for other continuation high schools. The selected schools will retain their title for three years and be recognized at the 2016 CCEA State Conference April 29 to May 1, 2016, in Riverside.