Transitions (Level I), Awareness and Exploration

This half-day program supports students who are beginning foundational skills for employment. The goal is to develop entry-level employment skills and competencies based on CDOS standards. Students participate in the Practical Assessment Exploration System as part of the Transition I curriculum. The PAES lab includes an evaluation of employability skills, interests, and job training in a simulated work environment. In addition, students participate in a work readiness curriculum to introduce basic job skills and behaviors for employment success.  Work-based skills are introduced and practiced in school-based training experiences, classroom projects, and career awareness for a variety of jobs that students may pursue as a career choice.  Career-specific skills are explored in various clusters as students develop an awareness of their skills, interests, and abilities. 

Example of Skills Taught

• Career exploration and job readiness
• Managing personal finances
• Caring for personal needs
• Social skills and maintaining healthy relationships
• Interpersonal skills
• Following directions and maintaining attention to tasks

Transitions (Level II), Exploration and Preparation

This half-day program is designed for students who have completed at least one year in Transitions I, or an equivalent program. Level II continues the foundation of career awareness and introduces more specific career exploration through a work readiness curriculum and training provided in a variety of settings, including school, work, and community. Exploration of a variety of career options include; hospitality, maintenance, technology, customer service, groundskeeping, and hospitality.

Worker safety and more specific job skills are emphasized; interdisciplinary academics reinforce skills necessary in the workplace, including reading, writing, speaking, and mathematics. CDOS and SCANS skills are modeled and practiced as part of the daily routine to help students develop and apply skills for success in the workplace.

Example of Skills Taught

• How to seek and maintain employment
• Appropriate work habits
• Awareness of quality of work
• Managing personal finances
• Caring for personal needs
• Social skills and maintaining healthy relationships
• Interpersonal skills
• Following directions and maintaining attention to tasks

Transitions III; Food Service Industry, for students aged 17-21

This half-day food prep program is designed for students who have an interest in or demonstrate their potential in the food service industry. It is recommended that this is a third-year Transition course so that students are ready to train and demonstrate job-specific skills required in the foodservice industry.  In this program, students run a school-based food enterprise and are involved in all aspects of this business including planning, shopping, and preparation of a meal.

All skills are developed sequentially, with demonstration, practice, and reinforcement, so that skills become embedded behaviors. Instruction includes applied technology, reading, writing, listening, speaking and mathematics, as well as time management, problem-solving, teamwork, and other work success skills. Upon completion of this program, students are ready for work-based experiences in the community.

Example of Skills Taught

• Food preparation and restaurant operation skills
• Safety & sanitation
• Equipment operations
• Work habits and customer service. 
• Interpersonal skills
• Following directions and maintaining attention to tasks

WEST - Work Experience Skills Training

This half-day program is designed for students who have participated in 2 - 3 years of Transition programming and are ready for work-based learning opportunities in the community.  Work-based training is facilitated in the school setting, community, and worksite locations, creating a continuum of experience that progresses from a familiar environment to a community-based setting and then a worksite to demonstrate and apply skills. This supervised work experience training program is designed to progressively help students learn and develop employability skills necessary for independent employment.

Work-based experiences vary based on individual skill level and readiness, which is continuously monitored and evaluated. The work readiness curriculum is designed to develop workplace and occupational skills; CDOS and SCANS skills competencies help students achieve the ability to function with limited supervision. 

Types of Work-based Experiences:

• Community-based group experience; a group of students participating at the same worksite doing the same or different tasks with staff supervision and monitoring.
• Internship with supervision & support; students participate at a worksite with direct supervision from a staff member. 
• Internship without supervision; the student is at the worksite independently, and the worksite mentor supervises.
• Paid work experience
• Work experience can vary from 1 to 4 days per week with 4-5 different internship rotations/locations. The classroom component of this program is designed to promote career exploration and the development of workplace skills and competencies for entry-level employment. There is ongoing classroom support with the development of resume portfolios.

Kathryn Zuroski
Supervisor of Special Education
Email the Supervisor
(585) 658 or 344-7540