Directions to Success

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The Directions Program is dedicated to preparing students for post-graduation. Staff are committed to providing transitional information, college and career exploration, and hands-on vocational experiences to assist students’ in reaching their full potential and independence as an adult. 

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Overview

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There are three distinct Pathways in the Directions Program:

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1. Directions to Community Involvement & Employment;

2. Directions to an Independent Career; and

3. Directions to Higher Learning.

 

Each Pathway is a course of study defined by goals and objectives that support the individual student in obtaining further post-secondary options in the areas of education, employment, and independent living. Completion of one Pathway may lead to placement in another Pathway or to graduation from the program.

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In the Directions program, students take time to explore various aspects of community involvement, careers, and college alternatives. The coursework, internships, and experiences will better enable students to engage in sustained work or higher education experiences designed to assist them in planning their future. The focus of the program will be on creating an environment that is conducive to achieving workplace or college readiness and independence. Students will have the opportunity to participate in service projects addressing community needs and fostering a sense of civic responsibility.

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To effectively assess appropriate opportunities for each student, the following components of the program will be closely monitored: goal setting, modeling, work pacing, assessment of learning styles, career development, employability, problem solving, critical thinking, responsibility, teamwork, communication skills, advocacy, wellness, technical competence, and academic benchmarks. Students are matched to possible options using various forms of data from numerous sources such as: student initiative, career and college inventories, job internships, past supervisor evaluations, test scores, grade point average, class work, and the student’s individualized education and transition plan. Regardless of the Pathway a student pursues, there remains an opportunity for further assessment to determine a different or additional Pathway.

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Pathways to Community Involvement & Employment

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In this Pathway, the primary emphasis is on promoting self-management and independent performance within the program and during community and vocational experiences. Students will demonstrate behavior appropriate for the community and workplace.

 

Education

Students will continue to receive academic instruction in core content classes, focusing on practical uses for reading, writing, and math skills. Emphasis on academics will be on how concepts support daily living, job readiness, and promote independence.

 

Employment

This Pathway will prepare students to move into program-based and community-based internships. Students will be offered opportunities to develop prerequisite technical and specific vocational skills. Through hands-on activities and real life experiences in a variety of settings, students will learn skill sets as well as appropriate behavior for the workplace. Additionally, students will be exposed to vocational experiences within the program such as baking, plumbing, woodworking, and basic home improvement. The on-site vocational training experiences will be aimed at assessing the student’s strengths, weaknesses, and preferences in regard to preparing the student for future community involvement.

 

Independent Living

Students will learn to make appropriate choices and participate in leisure and wellness activities. Students will be encouraged to develop functional methods of communication allowing them to interact with those around them and develop self-advocacy. Communication will be emphasized to support vocational aspects of adult life, involvement in community, and social interaction with peers. Students will be exposed to concepts of daily living such as personal hygiene, meal preparation, transportation, and care of their personal living space and belongings.