2 of 21

Southwest Colorado Education Collaborative

What is the Collaborative?

What are the benefits?

Who can I contact with questions?

The Southwest Colorado Education Collaborative, “the Collaborative” is a first-of-its-kind model in Colorado aimed towards improving educational opportunities for rural students in the Southwest. Formed in 2021, the Collaborative is a partnership between 9 school districts across 5 counties and two higher education institutions (Pueblo Community College and Fort Lewis College).

In addition to expanding students college and CTE credit taking opportunities, the Collaborative partners with local businesses to provide a variety of work based learning and summer opportunities, & offers access to mobile learning labs and equipment that transcend traditional brick-and-mortar learning.

If you are a student or parent/guardian, please contact your counselor.
If you are a counselor, please reach out to Steve Otter, Counselor Coordinator the Southwest Colorado Education Collaborative - sotter@swcoedcollaborative.org.

How do I sign up for the courses described in this guide?

What is in this guide?

Readers will find information on each pathway including a one pager on the full course sequence and potential jobs a student could pursue aligned to the pathway.
The second page for each pathway includes specific courses available for the 2024-2025 school year.

3 of 21

Southwest Colorado Education Collaborative

How do I take courses?

Review this course guide with your counselor and complete the Student Interest Form at https://tinyurl.com/SWStudentInterestForm2425 .
Your counselor works with the host district to confirm whether you can enroll in the course during SY24-25.
You will be notified whether you are confirmed or on the waitlist in May 2024; then you register for the course.

What are my next steps if I am interested in signing up for the courses described in this guide?

Courses are available at no cost to students.

Transportation may be available - check with your Counselor.

Courses will be Offered through one of the following formats
In Person	All courses will be taken at Host District
Virtual	All courses will be taken online.
Hybrid	Students may be in person on some days and virtual others.

4 of 21

Southwest Colorado Education Collaborative

Talk to your School Counselor about:

Tips for Students in CE

	Concurrent Enrollment (CE)	ASCENT	TREP
What it is	Tuition-free college classes during HS saving you time and money towards college credentials!	Tuition-free FULL YEAR of college classes following your Senior Year saving you money on your college credential!	TWO FULL YEARS of college classes in an Educator Pathway following your Senior Year saving you money on your college credential!
Eligibility	Each school determines when students are eligible for CE. Some courses have pre-reqs.	Must have taken 9 CE credits prior to completion of Senior Year	Must be taking a course off of the TREP List during your Senior Year.

Ask questions! It’s OK not to know things. Email your Instructor or find them after class.
Keep up on your work. College classes are at a much faster pace. It’s easy to get behind if you don’t stay on top of your work.
Use the campus resources. Most campuses have writing centers and tutoring options. Find out what resources exist and try them out.

5 of 21

Shared Course Offerings Overview

School Year 2024 - 2025

Career Cluster	Pathway	SY24-24 Course Offerings	PCC Aligned Pathways	FLC Aligned Pathways
Educator	Teacher Preparation	Global Perspectives Children’s Literature WBL FACS	Elementary Teacher Education, AA	Elementary Education, BA K-12 Teaching, BA
Educator	Early Childhood Education	Intro to ECE Guidance Strategies for Young Children Infant & Toddler Theory & Practice Intro to ECE Lab Techniques Practicum	Early Childhood Entry Level Cert Early Childhood Teacher Cert Early Childhood Teacher, AAS	Early Childhood Education, BA
Health Sciences	Allied Health	Intro to Health Sciences Anatomy & Physiology Patient Care Technician Certified Clinical Medical Assistant Certified Nurse Aide	Emergency Medical Services - EMT, EMS, Paramedic Nursing Medical Assistant Nurse Aide	Pre-Health Certificate Nursing, BS

7 of 21


The Education Cluster prepares students who are interested in a teaching career and working with youth by giving them a variety of real world experiences. Students will gain the skills needed to pursue an Education degree.
Teacher Education Pathway
CTE Course Level	Course	Description	Location	Course Format
Level II	ED 222: Global Perspectives	Students in this course will study the social, philosophical, cultural, and intellectual foundations of “school” and “education” as they have evolved over time. Students will engage in research, discussions, and classroom activities that are directly related to American and international education. Students will write and critically think about topics related to education practices in this culturally diverse world. Eligible for Concurrent Enrollment through FLC. Length: One semester Pre-requisites: none	Durango HS	Hybrid
			FLC
Level III	ED 227: Children’s Literature	A study of all types of literature for children, development of criteria for evaluating books and methods of creating in children a love of good books through a sound literature program for early childhood and elementary schools. Eligible for Concurrent Enrollment through FLC. Length: One semester Pre-requisites: none	Durango HS	Hybrid
			FLC
Level IV	WBL-FACS	This is the practical application of knowledge which includes field experience at an area school during which students will plan and deliver lessons under the supervision of a cooperating teacher. Length: One semester Pre-requisites: ED 222	Durango HS	Hybrid

Educator 2024-25 Shared Courses

9 of 21


The Education Cluster prepares students who are interested in a teaching career and working with youth by giving them a variety of real world experiences. Students will gain the skills needed to pursue an Education degree.
Early Childhood Education Pathway
Level 2	ECE 1011/ED 204 Intro to Early Childhood Ed	Provides an introduction to the profession of Early Childhood Education (ECE). Course content includes eight key areas of professional knowledge related to working with young children and their families in early care and education settings - child growth and development; health, nutrition and safety; developmentally appropriate practices; guidance; family and community relationships; diversity and inclusion; professionalism; and administration and supervision. This course addresses children ages birth through 8 years. Eligible for Concurrent Enrollment through PCC or FLC. Length: One semester Pre-requisites: n/a	PCC	Hybrid
			FLC
			Ignacio HS	In Person
Level 2	ECE 1031/ED 203 Guidance Strategies for Young Children	Provides an exploration of guidance theories, techniques, and practices used to support young children’s ability to learn and engage in prosocial interactions with peers and adults. This course covers factors that influence children’s behaviors, as well as aspects of early childhood educator professionalism related to ethical and equitable guidance practice. This course addresses children ages birth through 8 years. Eligible for Concurrent Enrollment through PCC or FLC. Length: One semester Pre-requisites: ECE 1011/ED 204	PCC	Hybrid
			FLC
Level 3	ECE 1111: Infant & Toddler Theory & Practice	Presents an overview of development and care pertinent to infant and toddler children, ages birth to three years, in early childhood settings. The course includes information on state requirements for regulating health, safety, and nutrition practices in early childhood settings, and on indicators of quality care for infants and toddlers. Eligible for Concurrent Enrollment through PCC. Length: One semester Pre-requisites: ECE 1011	PCC	Hybrid
			Ignacio HS	In Person

Educator 2024-25 Shared Courses

10 of 21


The Education Cluster prepares students who are interested in a teaching career and working with youth by giving them a variety of real world experiences. Students will gain the skills needed to pursue an Education degree.
Early Childhood Education Pathway
Level 3	ECE 1045: Intro to Early Childhood Lab Techniques	Focuses on a classroom Seminar and placement in a child care setting. The supervised placement provides the student with the opportunity to observe children, practice appropriate interactions and develop effective guidance and management techniques. Addresses ages birth through 8 years. Eligible for Concurrent Enrollment through PCC. Length: One semester Pre-requisites: ECE 1011 & ECE 1031	PCC	Hybrid
			Ignacio HS	In Person
Level 4	ECE 2088: Practicum	Provides an overview of growth, development, and learning of young children from birth through 12 years. The course includes the major theories of development as integrated in developmental domains and offers opportunities to practice effective research and assessment methods to gather child development information. This course also includes practical applications of child development knowledge to responsive teaching practices. Eligible for Concurrent Enrollment through PCC. Length: One semester Pre-requisites: ECE 1011 & ECE 1045	PCC	Hybrid
Students who complete the following course sequence are eligible for their Early Childhood Mini-Certificate through PCC ECE 1011: Intro to ECE ECE 1031: Guidance Strategies for Young Children ECE 1111: Infant & Toddler Theory & Practice ECE 1045: Intro to Early Childhood Lab Techniques
What is the difference between taking ECE courses at Pueblo Community College versus Fort Lewis College? Fort Lewis College allows students to enter straight into their Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education while PCC offers variety of lower level Certifications. These may allow students to work while they are stacking courses to pursue their Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education.

Educator 2024-25 Shared Courses

12 of 21


The Health Pathway offers students a thorough education in a high-demand field that has no foreseeable downward trend in human interaction. Whether your desire is to join a career locally or internationally, health care is needed across the spectrum of geography. Further, with advancing technology, health care will change over the coming decade to become both exciting and extremely rewarding as improving people’s lives is its primary focus.
Allied Health Pathway

Health Sciences 2024-25 Shared Courses

CTE Course Level	Course	Description	Location	Course Format
Level I	Intro to Health Sciences	This full year course is designed to create an awareness of career possibilities in health care and inform students of the educational options available for health programs. During the first semester, students will focus on the history of healthcare, employability, medical mathematic skills, and career exploration. The second semester will focus on beginning anatomy & physiology, basic medical terminology, medical ethics, diseases and disorders, and basic health care technical skills. Students will have the opportunity to get certified in CPR. Pre-Requisites: Biology or Intro to Health Occupations Length: One semester	Durango & Bayfield	Hybrid or In Person
			Cortez
Level II	Medical Terminology	Medical Terminology is a two semester course which gives students in-depth instruction in recognizing and forming medical terms related to the body's organ systems. Students will learn medical root words, prefixes, and suffixes and apply them to the body systems, as well as understand different diseases, conditions, diagnostic, and treatment procedures for each system. This course may be eligible for Concurrent Enrollment through PCC Pre-Requisites: Recommended: Intro to Health Sciences or Intro to Health Occupations. Length: One semester	Durango & Bayfield	Hybrid or In Person
			TBD

13 of 21


The Health Pathway offers students a thorough education in a high-demand field that has no foreseeable downward trend in human interaction. Whether your desire is to join a career locally or internationally, health care is needed across the spectrum of geography. Further, with advancing technology, health care will change over the coming decade to become both exciting and extremely rewarding as improving people’s lives is its primary focus.
Allied Health Pathway

Health Sciences 2024-25 Shared Courses

CTE Course Level	Course	Description	Location	Course Format
Level III	Patient Care Tech Certificate	The Patient Care Technician Certification includes units of study on: Caring for Patients, Activities of Daily Living, Healthy Body, Transferring & Ambulation, Basics of Nursing, Nutrition and Basic Phlebotomy & EKG. Students who complete this course are eligible for their EKG, Phlebotomy, and Patient Care Technician Certificates. Pre-Requisites: Intro to Health Occupations or Intro to Health Sciences and Medical Terminology or Anatomy & Physiology Length: One year	Bayfield	In Person
Level III	Patient Care Tech Certificate		Cortez	In Person
Level III	Certified Clinical Medical Assistant	The Certified Clinical Medical Assistant course prepares you to take patient vital signs, assistt providers with exams and procedures, administer injections or medications, and perform EKG, phlebotomy and other essential laboratory procedures. Students who complete this course are eligible for their EKG, Phlebotomy, and Certified Clinical Medical Assistant Certificates. Pre-Requisites: Intro to Health Occupations or Intro to Health Sciences and Medical Terminology Length: One year	Durango	Hybrid
Level IV	WBL - Internship	This is the practical application of knowledge which includes field experience at an area health care facility during which students will apply learning taught in Health Care Pathways courses Pre-requisites: Intro to Health Occupations or Intro to Health Sciences and Medical Terminology Length: One year	Durango	In Person

14 of 21

APPENDIX

DISTRICT COURSE OPTIONS:

The following pages indicate the course offerings that are available for students at each district.

Please Note: Students may take courses at schools not listed on their pages, however, districts must coordinate logistics amongst themselves.

If a student does plan to take a course at a school not listed on their district’s page, please reach out to Steve Otter at The Collaborative as they may be able to support with covering costs.

15 of 21


Allied Health Pathway

Bayfield Opportunities

Course Location	Course Offerings	Course Format
Bayfield HS	Patient Care Technician →Certifications: PCT Cert, EKG Tech, Phlebotomy Tech	In Person
PCC	Certified Nurse Aide → Certification: Certified Nursing Assistant	In Person
Teacher Preparation Pathway
Course Location	Course Offerings	Course Format
Durango HS	Education Exploration Child & Adolescent Development Global Perspectives Children’s Literature WBL-FACS	Hybrid
FLC	Global Perspectives Children’s Literature	Hybrid
Early Childhood Education Pathway
Course Location	Course Offerings	Course Format
Bayfield HS	Intro to ECE Infant & Toddler Theory & Practice Intro to ECE Lab Techniques WBL-FACS	In Person
PCC	Intro to ECE Infant & Toddler Theory & Practice → Certification: ECE Entry level Cert Intro to ECE Lab Techniques ECE Child Growth & Development	Hybrid
FLC	Intro to ECE Children’s Literature Child Growth & Development	Hybrid