We strive to continually grow our service portfolio to maximize opportunities for the school districts and students we serve, and to support district-wide management and operations efficiencies.
New this year, we have strengthened our educational programs — from research-based approaches for students with autism to coursework for adult learners looking to earn in-demand skills — and expanded our service offerings to help school districts meet their greatest educational and fiscal challenges in creative, collaborative and cost-effective ways.
New for 2018-19:
- Classes to serve a growing population of students with autism. Six newly designed K-12 classrooms will help students with autism achieve their individual educational and therapeutic goals.
- Expansion of an alternative education program that provides at-risk students with a pathway to graduation. In addition to taking all of the classes they need to graduate, enrolled students learn employability skills and exposure to potential careers.
- Preparation for careers in the booming pet care industry. In this new course, high school students to work with small domestic animals to learn basic care skills along with customer service, communications and office and computer skills.
- School-based mental health clinics to provide more student/family supports. Schools are seeing a growing number of students of all ages with serious mental health challenges. Mental health treatment for children and families in a school setting is proven to be more efficient and effective than treatment in community-based settings.
- Capital Region P-TECH is an innovative new high school program focused on engaging students in hands-on, project-based learning in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Graduates will earn a high school diploma and an associate’s degree in a high-tech field at no cost. They will also be first in line for jobs with industry partners in the growing field of information technology.
- More options for adults to gain new job skills. Three new programs for adult learners—Engineering Technician, Building Trades and Culinary — offer the skills necessary to gain employment in each respective industry and certifications employers seek.
- New Literacy Zone opening in downtown Albany. This and its sister site, the South End Literacy Zone, provides adults with supports to learn English, get their high school diploma and career training.
- Three new management services. School districts will continue looking at ways to share services in order to deliver high-quality programs in the most cost-effective way possible. This includes shared food service programs, and expanded efforts to share transportation routes and bus repair services.