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501(c)(3): According to the IRS, a 501(c)(3) may be formed for the purposes of religious, charitable, educational, literacy, or scientific purposes. C.O.P.E. is an education-focused program that
includes basic academic remediation, life skills, and drug and violence prevention programming.

A 501(c)(3) must be formed as a corporation and is afforded tax-exempt status. Most donations to a 501(c)(3) are deductible to the donor. C.O.P.E. will provide thank-you letters and accurate receipts for donors for tax purposes.

at-risk or high-risk: Several factors may lead to a student population or individual being defined as “at-risk” or “high-risk”. These factors may include: low income, exposure to or involvement in substance abuse, learning disabilities, single parent families, homelessness, behavioral problems, and other barriers to education. C.O.P.E. serves the at-risk youth population of Washtenaw County by providing academic classes, such as Math and English, as well as providing substance abuse prevention education, life skills training, and counseling where applicable.

Alternative Education: Alternative Education encompasses any means to assist a student who is not learning in a traditional public school setting. C.O.P.E. utilizes small class size, self-paced progress, individual tutoring, and close communication with parents, schools, and other agencies, to facilitate student learning.

Special Education Certified: A student is defined as being in need of special services through extensive testing. Once a student is special-ed certified, public schools are required to provide the assistance that these students need to learn. One of the resources Washtenaw County schools employ is C.O.P.E. Approximately 45% of C.O.P.E’s student popluation are special education certified.

Explanations of the most commonly abbreviated certifications follow:
•EI- Emotionally Impaired
•LD- Learning Disabled
•POHI- Physically and Otherwise Health Impaired

Board of Directors: C.O.P.E. is governed by a Board of Directors consisting of 20 volunteers from the community. C.O.P.E. boasts a diverse board including school Superintendents, members of of the Family Division of the Washtenaw County Probate Court, high-ranking law enforcements officials, lawyers, bankers, and even students to bring youth perspective to our Board. C.O.P.E.’s Board members hold equal-authority, voting positions.

Michigan’s “Weapons in School” Law: A law passed in 1996 requiring mandatory expulsions for any student bringing a weapon to school. Weapons have been defined as anything from guns and knives to paper clips and water balloons. The law does allow for some exceptions, such as if the student didn’t know they were carrying a weapon. C.O.P.E. formed the Middle School Alternative Program (1996) and the Crossroads Program (2001) in response to the growing need for alternative education services for these expelled students, who would otherwise have no educational opportunities and minimal supervision.