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Freedom High School Becomes First in the Nation for New ASE Accreditation!

For many prospective instructors con-
sidering any type of ASE accreditation this
sounds like a lot of extra work. Jay would
tell you there certainly is some, but in many
cases its more about showing what you are
already doing than adding to your workload.
Jay has found that the work done to meet the
ASE standards helped to better organize and
improve his classes and his teaching methods.
The learning is more targeted and measurable.
The skills learned and experiences for each
student are more consistent and high level.
Dan and Aaron (WATDA, ASE Foundation)
were so helpful, quick to respond, and ready
to encourage and support Jay, it really made
it possible. How do you eat an elephant? One
bite at a time! The onsite evaluation can even
sound scary or invasive, but the preparation
beforehand and the organizing methods Dan
and Aaron shared made the process clear and
the evaluation smooth. Brent Kindred, also
Jay Abitz to take the Freedom High School Automo- from WATDA, was a champion for this process
Automotive Instructor tive program to that next level! and went to great lengths to promote and cel- it was meant to be! If you are teaching proud
Freedom High School Dan and Aaron worked with Jay to docu- ebrate this accomplishment. The accreditation of what you are teaching and you believe in
Freedom High School ment and organize the program at FHS to ceremony was celebrated by our school with your program, go for accreditation! Do it for
has a long and storied history meet the high standards of ASE. The program many invited guests and local media. It truly your students, your school, your community,
in automotive education. already taught to most of the standards, but highlighted the accomplishments of all. and yourself!”
Retired instructor Bob Abitz started from to meet accreditation level it would need to “For many years I never thought this was
modest beginnings in 1972. Over 34 years he be organized, polished, and have a few more something I could accomplish, but with Dan
built the program at FHS into one recognized specific call out of tasks and educational expe- and Aarons help, and the Collision Fundamen- freedomschools.k12.wi.us
at both the state and national level as a model riences. Jay saw this to be a large task, but tals matching so well to what we teach, for us
program for automotive and specifically col- one that had value in his already full sched-
lision repair. Student success was highlighted ule and busy life. Over the next year Jay took
in the SkillsUSA collision repair contest with pictures, organized documents, and re-wrote
students winning regularly as the state and a few pieces of curriculum to align with the
placing at nationals. Many students would Collision Fundamentals standards and task
go on to work in the automotive industry at list. There were also a few new things added
all levels, including technicians, adjusters, to each class as well, which Jay welcomed
managers, and multiple shop owners. His son as good additions to what they were already
Jay Abitz took over in 2007, promising to doing! The standards and task list are spread
take the program to the next level. Over the across 6 classes. At the same time Jay also
next years, Jay would introduce new teaching introduced the new I-CAR Academy training
methods, tools, equipment, and technology, curriculum which matched up well and shared
thus growing the program’s success. That next many tasks, standards, and outcomes with
level promise was completely fulfilled with the ASE guidelines. Students in any of the 6
the program’s crowning achievement of ASE automotive classes at FHS have the opportu-
Accreditation in May of 2025. nity to earn I-CAR Academy badges which are
Jay and Bob both are big proponents industry recognized as well as work their way
of what is now called Collision Funda- towards ASE certification.
mentals. High School level education that The automotive program at FHS already
teaches the basics of collision repair, pre- had great support from the school, administra-
paring graduates for employment as entry tion, and community. Part of the accreditation
level technicians. Jay and Bob fought for process is forming an advisory board. Jay
many years to have a level of accreditation already utilized a large network of former stu-
that matched the fundamental skills taught dents and local industry connections to support
at the high school level similar to the MLR his program. Many of those alumni are shop
program on the auto mechanics’ side. The owners, managers, and technicians working in
WATDA as well as the ASE foundation the industry. Jay added a few more representa-
came alongside Jay to make this happen. tives from local dealerships and the advisory
Dan Klecker and Aaron Troxell worked board became official. These board members
directly with ASE and were instrumental in meet twice a year to review the program and
showing the need for this accreditation as provide feedback. The board reviews program
well as walking Jay through the initial steps standards, tools and equipment, curriculum,
of preparing for Accreditation and program teaching methods, and needs to name a few.
evaluation. Jay was able to join the standards Many members are in touch with Jay on a
writing workshop and Collision Fundamen- regular basis and provide all kinds of support
tals was born. That opened the door for Jay to Jay and the program.