PROGRAM TIER SYSTEM

The School-to-Career program has implemented a Tier System designed to provide both school-based and community-based learning.

Tier I

Tier I provides middle school students between the ages
of 12-14 with the initial exposure to the School-to-Career
Tier Program. The program is designed to provide support
for these students as they prepare to transition from middle
school. Tier I offers a half day of transitional academics and
a half day of vocational training, which simulates the half day
classes in Tier II of the School-to-Career Program. Job
shadowing and job sampling are integral parts of the Tier I
program, as well as accessing the high school for lunch and
extracurricular activities. The Tier I program plays a valuable role in
facilitating a successful transition for students as they advance
to the next step of the School-to-Career Program at the high
school level.

Tier II

Tier II is the second level of the School-to-Career Program. These students participate in a half day of transitional academic instruction and a half-day vocational class. The transitional academic classes provide students with the opportunity to develop independent living, personal/ social skills and career education skills. Practical units of study such as banking, budgeting, preparing for a job, interviewing, completing job applications, and communication skills. are content areas emphasized in Tier II.

Practical lessons and experiential learning activities are presented both in the classroom and in the community through job shadowing and job sampling. Vocational classes of Tier II provide students with work experiences in realistic settings. These classes are designed to develop appropriate work behaviors and attitudes such as positive work ethic, cooperation with supervisors and co-workers, confidence and personal responsibility and career goals. The vocational classes include Building Trades, Landscaping/ Horticulture, Business Technology and Manufacturing.

Tier III

Tier III provides realistic work experiences, within the school setting, that simulate community based job placements. Transitional Academics are infused into each class. On a daily basis, students apply and practice language arts and mathematic skills in each setting. The classes in Tier III include:

The Forest Restaurant Class – This full service restaurant is open to the public for lunch five days a week, while school is in session. In addition to leaning appropriate work behaviors and attitudes, students learn the basic skills necessary to work in a restaurant. The Food Services Class – This class teaches students skills in food preparation and distribution. Students in this program assist in preparing and serving over 500 meals to students and staff throughout the district. The Career Sampling Class – This class offers students experiences in a wide range of careers. These experiences include working in Environmental Services, Maintenance, Child Care, Clerical Work, Mail/Package Delivery, and Food Services. Within each career area, each student is paired with a mentor who teaches specific skills and appropriate work behaviors. The Marketing Retail Class – This class offers the students the opportunity to work in retail sales and learn the skills necessary to promote and sell merchandise.

Tier IV

Tier IV provides the first opportunity for students to transition into a community-based work setting. This community-based program is a “classroom without walls” in that the entire community is considered a classroom that provides endless experiential opportunities for learning. Community-based work sites include the following: Shore Memorial Hospital, AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center-City Campus, Meadowview Nursing Home, and Richard Stockton College of New Jersey. Within these settings there is a full time teacher with eight students. Each student is paired with a mentor who teaches the specific job skills of the position and the cultural norms of the work place.

The community work experience provides a setting for students to further develop social skills in an adult world which facilitates maturity and the development of pro-social skills and behaviors.

Tier V

Tier V is the highest level in the program. Students who exhibit independence, highly developed behavioral, social and work skills are placed in Tier V prior to graduation. Community-based work sites in Tier V are in Atlantic City at the following hotel and casinos: Caesars, Tropicana, Hilton, Bally’s, and Resorts.

As in Tier IV, each student is paired with a mentor to assist them within the job setting. Many students transition into permanent job placements upon graduation.

The Tier System provides a systematic, organizational sequence of programs. Each
Tier provides the students the opportunity to develop the
appropriate work skills and social behaviors necessary for to obtain and maintain
employment. The School-to-Career Program has resulted in systemic change,
national recognition and the continuation of a successful program that supports the
needs of middle and high school students leading to success upon graduation.