The 21-Credit Diploma/ Differentiated Diploma Plan

Randolph Alternative Learning Center, located on Montford Avenue.

Asheville City Schools in an effort to find progressive ways to graduate students with challenges has recently submitted a proposal to the ACS board.

from Staff Reports

The final stages of a 21-credit diploma program are being considered at the Randolph Learning Center. This program is the vision of Principal Gordon Grant, Ed.D., who has worked diligently with parents, educators, and social workers at the center. This program is in the final stages of approval after a three-year journey of transforming RLC from the stereotype of “a place where bad black kids go,” to the place were kids go for hope.
The team at Randolph Learning Center realizes that without a diploma, a skill, and the opportunity to go on to a four-year college, life is very difficult.

The RLC program will
also help parents by increasing job skills and enhancing learning
experiences, encouraging them to support their children in this
program. The students will also have a mentor of their choice as they
complete the program. The mentor will be with the student until
graduation. The students of RLC are already excited about this
opportunity, and need the community to help back the dream of a high
school diploma for so many young people with challenges in their lives.
“We are urging the community to get behind us and make this happen. A
high school diploma would mean so very much to many families during
these difficult times. So many of our students would not otherwise have
an opportunity to earn s diploma without this sort of graduating
program through Asheville City Schools,” stated Eric Howard.

The Plan

The research

This plan has been researched by conducting studies of other districts
and their alternative programs. The Randolph staff has had
conversations with AB Tech personnel. Studies of students and their
characteristics have taken place, and graduation requirements for
graduation in North Carolina have been discussed.

Who has been involved?

The plan has involved administrators, the school success coordinator,
the social worker and counselor, teachers of various subject areas,
parents and students, and AB Tech personnel.

What is the plan?

A 21-credit differentiated diploma meets all the state requirements for
a diploma: 4 English, 4 math, 3 social studies, 3 science, 1
health/physical education, and 6 credit concentration in career/tech
education, jointly provided by Asheville City Schools and AB Tech.

The CTE/AB Tech concentration

Students who will be involved in this plan will receive a certificate.
Some courses will be taken at ACS and some will be taken at AB Tech.
Initially, there will be four areas of concentration. They are: auto
mechanics, computer repair, nail technology, and medical assisting. The
plan will involve internship, apprenticeship, and/or coop programs.
Students and parents/guardians

The students must be enrolled at Randolph Learning Center. They must
meet attendance, academic, and behavior criteria. Parents/guardians
must commit to regular family involvement activities.

Why do this?

The plan is rigorous. It meets state requirements for diploma and a
community-college certificate will be earned. It is relevant because it
prepares students for the workplace. It is relational because it guides
students through high school and into post-secondary education.

What will it take?

For this plan to reach fruition, the following must happen: amendment
of board policy on graduation requirements; focused plans for academic
success at RLC; continued partnership with AB Tech to work out details.