May 22, 2024

 Dear Continuation Education High School Principals:

Model Continuation High School Recognition Program

I invite you to participate in the Model Continuation High School (MCHS) Recognition Program sponsored by the California Department of Education (CDE) in collaboration with the California Continuation Education Association Plus (CCEA Plus).

The MCHS Recognition Program identifies and celebrates outstanding continuation high schools throughout California. The program also recognizes these schools as a resource for local educational agencies and other continuation high schools that may be able to adapt successful approaches and practices of these model schools in their learning communities.

California’s MCHSs provide comprehensive services to students whose needs and strengths can be better met within these specialized settings using exemplary instructional strategies, flexible scheduling, and guidance and counseling services.

The application has been modified and now primarily consists of five narrative statements addressing the following topics:

1. School Profile
2. School Management
3. Educating “This Whole Child” (Instruction)
4. Educating “This Whole Child” (Social, Emotional, and Mental Health and Development)
5. School Evaluation of Effectiveness

Principals who intend to submit an application must complete the Intent to Submit form online at: https://surveys3.cde.ca.gov/go/intentosubmchsapp2024-25.asp. Intent to Submit in order to be considered for model school status. The online form will close on Friday, August 30, 2024, at 4 p.m. Submission of the online form does not obligate the principal to submit an application.

The self-nomination application packet is available on the CDE’s MCHS Recognition Program web page at https://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/sr/mc/ and on the CCEA Plus Model School Recognition Program web page at https://cceanet.org/awards/model-school/. The packet includes instructions for completing the application and required forms, reference materials, and instructions for submitting the application via the CDE exFiles File Transfer System. Applications are due to the CDE by 4 p.m. on Thursday, September 12, 2024.

The CDE will be hosting a webinar on Tuesday, June 4, 2024, for prospective applicants. Any principal interested in applying may participate. The principal may also designate someone else to attend in their place. The webinar will provide information regarding the application and the application process. To sign up for the webinar and receive the required login information, check for scheduling and details on the CDE’s MCHS Recognition Program web page at https://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/sr/mc/.

Successful applicants will be identified through an application evaluation and site visit process. Representatives from the CDE and CCEA Plus will honor and present awards to 2024–25 MCHS Recognition Program awardees at the annual CCEA Plus State Conference.

If you have any questions regarding this program, please contact Dan Sackheim, Education Programs Consultant, Educational Options Office, by phone at 916-323-2183 or by email at ContinuationEduc@cde.ca.gov.  

Sincerely,

/s/

Dr. Erika Torres, Deputy Superintendent
Strategy, Policy and Special Projects Branch

ET:ds