Van Buren Intermediate School District
Lawrence, Michigan
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Van Buren County is a rural, agricultural area
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Population = 79,000
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Square Miles = 725
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11 School Districts throughout the county
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Schools Range in size from 50 to 300 students
per grade level
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Average distance from each school to the Van
Buren Intermediate School District = 17 miles
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Re-imagine the concept of an Early College
◦ Meet unique needs of rural communities
◦ Provide comprehensive preparation by meshing the benefits
of Early College & CTE
◦ Develop self-sustaining model independent of FTE monies
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Build community partnerships in healthcare industry
Utilize rigorous, challenging, and accelerated
educational AND clinical experiences.
Provide opportunities for students to obtain an
associate’s degree by end of 13th year.
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Small Class Size
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Cohort-Based Instruction
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Personalization and Student Supports
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Power of Site
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Cost
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Acceleration of Degree
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Transition to College Environment
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Applied learning & Work-Based Learning Opportunities
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Challenging & Relevant Coursework
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10-40 students per school; set up in two groups – grades 7/8
& 9/10
Meet after school weekly/bi-weekly with one evening field trip
to a local healthcare facility each month
◦ Site Tours
◦ First Aid Training
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Speakers
Portfolio
Hands-on; fun; educational career exploration; snacks
Provide a stipend for local school teacher to assist with career
clubs
Curriculum, activities, and field trips are centered around
monthly healthcare topics (e.g., physical therapy, anatomy &
physiology)
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Interested in the field of healthcare
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May or may not qualify for dual enrollment
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Has the potential to do well in college, but may need adult
mentoring and/or support to ensure success
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May possess any number of risk factors:
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Live in Poverty
Single Parent Household
Parents did not attend college
Have not always been successful in traditional academic setting
Lacks resources and/or structure needed to be successful
Interested in an accelerated, non-traditional school
experience
Van Buren Intermediate School District
Bronson Lakeview Hospital
South Haven Health System
VBECHA
11 Local School Districts
Lake Michigan College
Kalamazoo Valley CC
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38 Applicants; 23 Students Accepted
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8/11 Schools Represented
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21 Females & 2 Males
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15/23 At-Risk Students
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3.18 Avg. GPA
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Science GPA of 2.5 or higher
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Acceptable PLAN & COMPASS Scores
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Diverse Interests in Healthcare Careers
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Academic support provided to students through the Early College
shall be determined by academic performance.
Academic performance will be monitored by mentors on a regular
basis to determine the most effective and efficient levels of support
to be provided.
The Early College will offer four levels of support dependant on past
performance and ability (A/B = level 1) (B-/C+ = level 2) (C+/C =
Level 3) (Below C = Level 4)
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Level 1: bi-weekly assignment review, bi-weekly assessment
Level 2: weekly assignment review; weekly grade assessment
Level 3: daily assignment review & grade assessment/daytime tutoring
Level 4: Student Assistance Team Analysis; daily assignment review &
grade assessment; evening tutoring
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During the 2011-2012 school year students will have
opportunities to participate in activities to assist them with
their academic load. Examples of these activities are yoga for
stress management, study skills and test taking seminars.
Students will also tour college campuses and gain an
understanding of their course offerings along with how to
access services that are provided on campus.
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College Life Studies 115 - Career Success Strategies
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Taken in summer prior to starting VBECHA in Fall of 11th Grade
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3 Credit Hybrid Course; 4 full day sessions w/ remainder online
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Try to meet some MMC requirements (e.g., online, VPAA)
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Curriculum Topics
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Attendance
Responsibility
Communication
Study Skills
Goal Setting
Learning Styles
Time Management
Ethics
Career Exploration & Research
Job Skills (resume writing, interview skills)
Leadership
Stress Management
Monday, Wednesday, Friday
11th Grade
Morning
Block
At
Home
School
12th Grade
1st Semester
2nd Semester
Civics
Econ
1st Semester
2nd Semester
Home School
Home School
Algebra II
Algebra II
College
Campus
College
Campus
English
English
College
Campus
College
Campus
Lunch
Lunch
College
Campus
College
Campus
College
Campus
College
Campus
Allied Health
Allied Health
Afternoon Tech (HEAL 120, 165, 166) (HEAL 120, 165, 166)
Block
Center
READ 110
READ 110
Tuesday & Thursday
11th Grade
Morning
Block
Afternoon
Block
At
Home
School
Tech
Center
12th Grade
1st Semester
2nd Semester
Civics
Econ
1st Semester
2nd Semester
Home School
Home School
Algebra II
Algebra II
Allied Health
Allied Health
English
English
Allied Health
Allied Health
Lunch
Lunch
Lunch
Lunch
CHEM 104
BIO 101
MTH 128
BIO 108/204
Mentor Time
Mentor Time
Mentor Time
Mentor Time
11th Grade
12th Grade
Career Success Strategies (3)
Human Anatomy & Physiology
(4)
Health & Health Occupations
(2)
Pre-Calculus Algebra (4)
Standard First Aid and
Personal Safety (2)
English Composition101 (3)
CPR/ AED (1)
English Composition 102 (3)
Medical Terminology (1)
Program Elective/Core (3)
Biological Science (4)
Program Elective/Core (3)
Credit Totals
Fundamentals of Inorganic
Chemistry (4)
Credits= 17
Credits= 20
Total=37