Work-Based Success

(King Family Library)

The Work-based Learning Program has been the recipient of much praise and commendation by those who are most affected. The workers, their employers and graduates from the program and their employers. Since this program's inception, many developmentally challenged students and former students have become more fully integrated into their communities than has happened in previous years. One sees them working not only in the private sector, especially tourism related businesses, but also for local government and community entities. The Sevier County Library system hosts the program daily with an onsite classroom, office, kitchen, laundry and full access to all materials and facilities in the King Family Library building.

What makes it work?

  • Having high expectations for the students.
  • Having the support of the school administration and faculty.
  • Listening to the students involved, listening to the businesses involved, matching interests to aptitudes to personalities of the student and managers.
  • Using compassion and creativity to drive the programming.

Successes

Our students are working in the community in different restaurants, the public library, some retail stores, grocery stores and restaurants. Some students have gone on to post secondary school at TennesseeRehabilitationCenter in Smyrna, TN for further job training and help with job placement. A number of the students are participating in supportive employment through the Vocational Rehabilitation program.

The following is a description of our Work-based Learning program at King Family Library:

Goals/Objectives of the Program:

Improve post school outcomes for 16 - 22 year old students served in CDC classrooms

Improve supported/independent living skills with practical experiences

Improve self-determination skills

Provide opportunities for interaction with post-secondary programs and services

Train students in work and life skills in natural environments, including community and businesses

Integrate students with nondisabled co-workers, supervisors and customers

Evaluate student progress under national conditions

Provide regular, well-planned training in community environments specially selected for each student

Plan of Operation:

A teacher and four job coaches operate a three tiered program of work-based learning both at SCHS and different businesses in the community.

The first tier at the educational facility and includes training in the class setting with a job coach. Students are trained at various tasks such as cleaning tables, rinsing dishes, putting away utensils and dishes and loading dishes into the dishwasher. Students have also worked with the staff putting out mail, operating a shredder and doing some light maintenance. Students are also doing prevocational training in our Special Candle Makers store.

The second tier of the work-based learning program consists of working on a job crew in the community. Students are transported to different job sites in groups of four or five students and one job coach. The sites include Kroger, LeconteMedicalCenter, FortSanders nursing home, Wal-Mart and Gondolier. Students learn different tasks at each site and are rotated every six weeks. Students work for 90 minutes a day and receive credit and a grade. Students are evaluated weekly.

The third tier of the work-based learning program is for students 18 - 22 years old that are ready to work independently for up to 20 hours a week. Using students' interests and aptitudes the teacher matches a particular student with a business interested in participating in this program. Students are also encouraged to apply for the WIA program (work incentive act) to receive a training pay check through WaltersStateCommunity College. Students have been placed at Sevier County Co-op, Evergreen Day Care, Sevierville Library, Books-A-Million, Hungry Howies, Hillbilly landscaping, McNeeley Whaley Ford, Mr. Gatti's, Sissy's, Sevierville Tire and Auto services, A&W, Your Super Scrapbook Store and Holiday Inn Express. A job coach is available at all times and students are transported to and from the job site by a teacher. Students are evaluated at least once a week. This is a state approved work-based learning program that is initiated through the students IEP.

Life Skills curriculum:

On the site of the training apartment at SCHS students are taught daily living skills activities such as cooking, maintenance and upkeep of an apartment, cleaning and laundry. Students develop age appropriate daily living requirements including budgeting skills, banking skills, rent a home ownership options, supported living options, household utility bill payment, income tax preparation, voter registration, public transportation, medical services, food shopping, clothing selection and community responsibilities. Students participate in one volunteer project per six weeks. These have consisted of assorted community projects for local charities such as, catering cookies for the school band supporters Christmas party, letters packages to soldiers overseas, and being responsible for the SevierCountyHigh School’s recycling club.

We are proud of this program and work daily to improve and increase its positive impact on the people we serve in our schools and our communities.

-Jeanne Tredup, Special Education Teacher @ Sevier CountyHigh

Work-Based Learning – Sevier County SchoolsPage 1