Career Advancement Charter
Submitted By: Denise Sanson
Greater Opportunity Through Adult Learning
Website: https://santacruzcoe.org/student-services/alternative-education-programs/career-advancement-charter/
Type of Practice: Learner Transition
Program Area(s): ABE / ASE
Region: Central Coast
Consortia Involved: Santa Cruz County Adult Education Consortium
The Program of Practice
Our Adult High School Diploma Program serves a resilient and determined population of learners who return to education while balancing demanding responsibilities such as work, family, and caregiving. Many bring rich life experience but have been away from formal education, sometimes for years, often expressing low academic confidence and unfamiliarity with current educational systems and expectations. While their motivation is strong, these factors can create barriers to sustained engagement and retention. Our challenge is to design supportive, flexible, and empowering structures that honor their strengths while addressing the gaps in confidence, connection, and school readiness that impact their path to graduation.
The Response
In response to the challenges of engagement and retention in our Adult High School Diploma Program, we have implemented a series of intentional, student-centered strategies designed to meet learners where they are and build their confidence as they re-enter education. These include flexible group orientations that foster early community-building, and one-on-one intake appointments for transcript review and the development of a personalized academic plan.
An important part of our response is the beginning of our Foundations class, a six-week onboarding course required for all new students. This class is designed to support learners in (re)developing essential academic and executive functioning skills—such as time management, goal setting, digital literacy, and study strategies—while also helping them acclimate to the expectations and culture of the program. Together, these efforts aim to create a more supportive, accessible, and empowering experience that enhances student persistence and long-term success.
The Unique Features of the Program
This is a structured 6-week onboarding course that supports new students in easing back into academics.
The program focuses on skill-building (time management, organization, technology use), setting personal goals, and fostering self-confidence. We provides a low-pressure environment where students re-learn how to "do school."
The Outcome
This has been our first year of implementation so we are still collecting and analyzing data. Since October 2024, we have completed 4 cohorts, with a total of 87 students registered for the Foundations Class. 65 or 75% of those students maintained an attendance rate of 70% or higher. 72 or 83% of those students are still enrolled in our program and 18 have graduated.