Program launched six months ago

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- Kara Yslas is a junior at Sand Creek High School. Tuesday she worked in her design class on a sign project.

Kara's work is a product of the school's business, also known as 49's Designs.

"It is a class, it is an A.C.E. class, or Alternative Cooperative Education. A.C.E. is all about work and learning about work, going through the whole process of interests and aptitudes," Special Education Teacher Robert Tegtmeier said.

Tegtmeier launched the design class and shop six months ago, he said it is currently only open to students with special needs. He said his goal is to help prepare his students for the real world.

"I thought it would be good to have a business where we could actually control what happens and stop and correct and role play," Tegtmeier said.

The students make everything from signs and banners to bumper stickers and license plates. They have even branched outside their school and have begun making signs for the community.

Principal Mike Collins said the experience is invaluable.

"Students with significant disabilities still have to earn a living, and I think this gives them the opportunity to find out what is expected when you are being paid for your work," Collins said. "So not only are they making real profit, but performances have to be real and of a high standard."

As for Kara and her classmates, they said they enjoy the business atmosphere of the class and add it is nice to see their work hang on the school's walls and out in the community.

In total 49's Designs has worked on more than 150 projects. The class recently won an award from the The Arc of the Pikes Peak Region for "Outstanding Program of the Year."

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