PROGRAM HISTORY & DESCRIPTION

One of the many outstanding programs offered at ACSSSD is the
School-to-Career Program. It is designed to facilitate successful
transition from school to work and adult life for high school aged
students with disabilities.The School-To-Career Program was developed
in 1992 to meet the changing needs of students. Research statistics at that
time from the New Jersey Department of Education and the local office
of the New Jersey Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services indicated
that 21% of all youth with disabilities dropped out of school prior to
obtaining a high school diploma. There was a need to develop curriculum
and programs that were relevant to students’ interests and goals, that would
prepare them to succeed in employment and adult life, and that would
motivate them to stay in school.

The School-to-Career Program includes all three school-to-work components:
school-based activities, work-based activities and connecting activities.
Each year 100 or more students participate in the school-based component
and approximately 50 more participate in the community work-based component. Initial funding was obtained from the New Jersey Department of Education in the form of multi-year grants. Local district funds were also used to develop this system. When the grant period ended, the district Board of Education absorbed the cost of the program because it is so essential to student success. Funding is also provided through Workforce Investment Act funds and other business partners.

The School-to-Career program is curriculum driven to address student needs within the domains of Life Skills, Personal-Social Development and Career Education. The Transition Curriculum was developed by the district over a period of ten years, and is cross-correlated with the New Jersey Core Curriculum Standards to assure that students are meeting state mandated educational standards. Learning is relevant, realistic and practical. Students who participate in the program are those who have developmental disabilities, or multiple and/or severe disabilities, students with typically poor attendance, low motivation, negative attitude toward school, severe learning disabilities, poor social/communication skills and behavioral challenges.

Students begin the School-to-Career program in a school-based component, in which they participate in half day academics and half day vocational classes. In the transitional academic classes, students develop independent living, personal, social and career education skills. Practical units of study such as banking, budgeting, preparing for a job, interviewing and communication skills are content areas emphasized. The vocational classes include Food Services, Landscaping-Groundskeeping, Building Trades, Manufacturing and Business Technology. In these classes, the primary emphasis is on developing appropriate work behaviors and attitudes, such as attendance, punctuality, cooperation with co-workers and supervisors, confidence and personal responsibility. Students also learn career educations, life skills and personal social skills. For example, in the Business Technology class, students learn to create electronic resumes and portfolios, business documents such as cover letters, follow-up letters, business cards and i-movies. Students have the opportunity for their first paid work experience.