Curriculum & Instruction

Students enrolled at Mesa Transitional Learning Center or Durango Transitional Learning Center are placed in one of the following classes.

Skills Enhancement

All students are assessed on their first day of enrollment.  Students are assessed in the areas of reading, writing and mathematics and may be placed in skills enhancement classes based on the following criteria:

1. All students in 8th grade or below are placed in Skills Enhancement.
2. High School students who have a goal of GED on their ECAP but failed to meet the GED assessment criteria.  These students may be moved into GED at a later date if their assessments show marked improvement.
3. High School students who have a goal of a high school diploma on their ECAP but failed to meet the Credit Recovery assessment criteria.  These students may be moved into Credit Recovery at a later date if their assessments show marked improvement.

The schedule for each Skills Enhancement class is as follows:

• 2 hours of Language Arts Instruction
• 2 hours of Mathematics Instruction
• 1 hour of Transition Skills Instruction

All students are given the opportunity to use the AzCIS (Arizona Career Information System) which allows students to gain more knowledge about potential jobs, schools and occupation information.  They are provided with a lifetime account to AzCIS and can gain access to the website at anytime.

Credit Recovery

Students enrolled in the Credit Recovery class have indicated on their ECAP that they want to earn their high school diploma and therefore need to earn credits towards that goal.  They are interested in the Credit Recovery class so they can work on classes that they failed or did not complete.  Credits earned will be added to their transcript and will be transferred to their next school.  This will help the student get back on track so that they can graduate from high school in a timely fashion.

The criteria for entry into credit recovery are the following:

1. Student is in the 9th grade or higher, has a goal of earning their high school diploma, and plans on returning to high school upon release.
2. Student has scored 7.0 or higher in reading and 6.5 or higher in one other assessed area on the initial assessment test that is given in Intake.
3. Student who has and IEP, needs accommodations, and is in the 9th grade or higher, may also enter Credit Recovery class.

If the student does not have a course they have failed, then their transcripts are evaluated and courses are assigned based on the last set of courses the student has passed and the grade the student is currently enrolled in.

Courses are assigned one at a time so the student can concentrate on the assigned class and dedicate their time to passing that class.  Once that course has been completed, they then move on to the next class that is needed.  Only core subject courses are assigned, unless the student only needs electives to graduate, or if they are on track with their credits.

Students in the Credit Recovery program also take a Transition class.  The Transition curriculum helps prepare students in the areas of career interest, resume writing, filling out an application, interview techniques, appropriate behavior in the workplace, etc.

All students are given the opportunity to use the AzCIS (Arizona Career Information System), which allows students to gain more knowledge and information about potential careers and higher education requirements.  They are provided with a lifetime account to AzCIS and can gain access to their website at anytime.

GED Program

Maricopa County Regional School District and Maricopa County Juvenile Detention collaborate on offering a GED program for our detained students.  MCRSD places students in a GED program that prepares the students to take the GED exam while the Juvenile Detention Department administers the exam.  This collaboration allows many of our detained youth to succeed in earning their GED.

The GED (General Education Development) program at Durango and Mesa Transitional Learning Centers prepares students for the GED exam.  In order to be placed in the GED class the students must meet the following criteria:

1. Student must be 16 or older and with fewer than 8 high school credits.
2. Student has indicated on their ECAP that their educational goal is to earn the GED.
3. Student must have a letter of permission signed by their parent/guardian.
4. Student must score 7.5 in reading and no less than 6.5 in math or writing on their initial placement tests.

Upon entering the GED class, students take an assessment to see what their strengths and weaknesses are in the areas of Language Arts/Writing, Reading, Social Studies, Science and Mathematics.  Students then concentrate on their weak areas to boost their assessment scores.  Students study on the A+ Learning System to prepare for their GED exam.

Students in the GED program also have a transition class.  The transition curriculum helps prepare students in the areas of career interest, resume writing, filling out an application, interview techniques, appropriate behavior in the workplace, etc.

Students who have earned their GED and are still detained continue their work on A+.  They are assigned college readiness subjects to help prepare them for their coursework at the college level.  Within the GED classroom you will find students preparing for the GED exam, students taking college readiness courses, and of course transition planning so they will have the tools to succeed within the community as a productive member of society.

A+ Computerized Curriculum

Students at Continued Hope High School South, Continued Hope High School West, and Tumbleweed Transitional Learning Center education programming includes the A+ Learning System computerized program to help the students recover their credits in a timely manner.  High school students who have not passed the AIMS test are placed in AIMS prep classes.