Evolution 1980’s – MCLA/
Aramark Program Fed Sped – Career
Specialist JBSG Tech Prep Berkshire Training
and Employment (BTEP)
1990’s – STC/Connecting Activities
Career Majors Service Learning STC Team
Evolution, cont. 2000’s – transition
planning revisited Career class –
specially designed; typical
Internship Programs Adult Transition
Program developed 21st Century
Programs
Mass Grad Initiative – inclusion of career and beyond
Positive Options Program
E3 Program – competency- based and internships
School to Career Team Inclusive philosophy Career related activities Representation from all departments Career Pathway Orientation Career Portfolios Career Information Systems
School-to-Career Strives to demonstrate to students that there
is a connection between the world of employment and the academic, technical/technological and employability skills stressed in education
Provides knowledge and experiences to students that will assist them in higher education and/or the world of work
Career Sequence 8th Grade – 21st Century
Careers Class, Service Learning
9th Grade – Career Interest Inventory (Mass CIS), Job Shadows, 21st Century Career Course, Service Learning IEP students; vision;
transition plan (age 14)
Career Sequence 10th Grade – Career
curriculum in English courses; 21st Century class as an elective; job shadows; Service Learning IEP students; vision;
transition plan revisited
Career Sequence 11th Grade – 21st
Century Careers as an elective; English Department Career Fair; job shadows; internships; Service Learning IEP students; revisit
vision; transition plan; inclusion of adult service agency; vocational evaluation; 688
Career Sequence 12th Grade – 21st
Century Career class as elective; internships; job shadows; dual enrollment; Senior Project; Service Learning IEP students; vision;
transition plan; vocational evaluation; inclusion of adult service agency
Career Sequence 12th Grade +
Vocational Evaluation Adult Service Agency
Involvement Vision; Transition Plan Adult Transition Program
Independent living skills Social skills Pre-vocational skills Internships Job Shadows Travel training
Adult Transition Program Daily Living Skills Functional Academics Travel Training Pre-Vocational skills Job Shadowing Internships Post Graduate
Programs Positive Options Program
Berkshire Community College Credit Recovery College interest area Accuplacer Plato Internships
Programs 21st Century After School
Career academies Creative and Performing Arts Media and Technology Social and Global Issues Science, Technology, Engineering and Math
Job shadows Field Trips
Partners in Employment Berkshire County Regional Employment
Board (BCREB) Berkshire Community College City of North Adams North Adams Public Schools Adult Day Health Center North Adams Regional Hospital Northern Berkshire YMCA Berkshire Food Project Morrison Berkshire
Funding Resources – Past and Present
District budget Special Education
Federal Allocation Connecting
Activities Alternative
Education Grant Career Majors Grant
Workforce Investment Act (WIA funding)
ARRA stimulus funding
State and federal competitive grants
Foundation grants
Transition Planning Focus on all students
Connects school to
career and college readiness to academics
Specialized focus for students with challenges
Job Shadows and internships connects students to real world
Transition Vision All students have an experience of job
shadowing and internship All students have a career portfolio Students make a connection between
career, future planning and job acquisition
Barriers and Resolutions Transportation = Scheduling =
Staffing =
Funding =
Vans; BRTA; Other End of day; special
day; flexible Prep ; stipends;
grants; administrative support
Creativity; STC; Grants; Collaboration
Considerations Clear Vision Support of Administration Clear Expectations for students Parent Involvement