Hi everyone:
My name is Pam Stenhjem and I coordinate a national project called the Al=
l Means
All School-to-Work Project (www.ici.coled.umn.edu/all). We have a questi=
on and =
answer page on our website called School-to-Work Wizards which allows use=
rs to =
ask a question about school-to-work and including all learners. We then =
send =
the question out to our resident "Wizards" and print the question with an=
y =
responses on the website (www.ici.coled.umn.edu/all/questions.hmtl).
We have received several questions to which I have not received many repl=
ies =
from our "Wizards". I am hoping with all of the collective wisdom out th=
ere, =
that you might be able to provide some insight, suggestions, ideas, or ex=
amples =
for the questions that we can post on the website. Most of what we share =
is from
our own experience, but it could also be from formal research or research=
=
articles.
I will post the questions below. If you respond, please designate * whic=
h =
question(s)* you are responding to by using the number listed with your =
response. Thanks much for any help you can give!! And, please, stop by =
our =
website and check it out!
Best regards,
Pam Stenhjem
huntx010@maroon.tc.umn.edu
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Question 19
I am looking for effective practices/ strategies for involving at risk/dr=
op out =
students with special needs. I am curious what other people are doing wi=
th this
group of kids in middle and high school. Thank you , Lars.
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Question 21
Through my work with special educators, I have often been asked to supply=
a list
of standardized occupational interest and aptitudes tests for students of=
low =
reading ability or who are non-readers. I have been unable to supply suc=
h a =
list to my clients. Is there a number of tests that practitioners agree =
provide
the apppropriate information needed for career planning and guidance? He=
re in =
the State of Washington, we are required to provide a summary of a functi=
onal =
vocational evaluation for the transition component of the IEP. Even thou=
gh =
informal assessment of interest and aptitude provides valid and reliable =
information for the FVE, many parents as well as administrators request m=
ore =
formal assessment data. I would appreciate products as well as comments =
on this
topic.
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Question 25
In Nebraska, we are at the 65% (of all school districts) having implement=
ed STW.
Now, I am looking for actual CIMs and/or CAMs that are being used across =
the =
country. Alternatively, draft or proposed CIMs/CAMs would be useful. Can=
you =
help identify for me any of which you are aware?
CIMs are certificates of initial mastery and CAMs are certificates of ad=
vanced =
mastery
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Question 29
How has the number of students falling in the gap between high school tra=
nsition
to the "real world" decrease with school-to-work? =
What are the statistics supporting the services?
Would a vocational rehabiliation counselor on the school site working wit=
h the =
students from the beginning of their ITP increase possiblities of success=
?
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Question 30
Our Government agency (an Army Major Command) is undergoing significant =
personnel cuts and changes in mission, with resultant low morale. Our Co=
mmander
has initiated a concept that he terms "a future workforce," one that will=
see =
personnel becoming "multi-knowledgeable" (possessing knowledge of one oth=
er area
of expertise other than one's specialization), "multi-skilled" (possessin=
g =
working knowledge in 2 or 3 other areas) and, ultimately, "multi-function=
al" =
(possessing technical understanding in 3 or 4 other areas of expertise").=
Do any of your readers have experience in, work for, or have knowledge o=
f, any =
enterprises that has gone down this road already? What have been the =
lessons-learned? The obstacles? The "tenets" that were agreed upon by all=
=
involved before implementation?
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Question 31
Young adults with disabilities do not always have an accessibe peer group=
as =
they did when they were in high school. I would like suggestions on mode=
l =
programs for older students that are 1)community, rather than school base=
d, 2) =
uses cash match dollars, vouchers, combined funding or other significant =
collaborative efforts with other agencies, and, 3) has a self-determinati=
on =
curriculum or plan infused into the program.
Pam Stenhjem, Project Coordinator
=A5 All Means All School-to-Work Project =
=A5 Transition Assistance Project
104 Pattee Hall, 150 Pillsbury Drive SE =
Minneapolis, MN 55455
Ph: 612/625-3863
Fx: 612/624-9344
Email: huntx010@umn.edu
WWW: www.ici.coled.umn.edu/all
If I keep a green bough in my heart, =
the singing bird will come. - Chinese Proverb