Helping "job seekers" with learning
difficulties plan and prepare for employment

  
 
 
    
 

The transition from high school to post-secondary education or to employment is a challenging step for all students; however, it is particularly challenging for students with disabilities.  Soaring to Success is designed specifically to address the unique challenges faced by students with disabilities.  The project is geared toward high school juniors and is a semester-long, elective course that includes either summer or after-school paid employment.

 

 

The goal of the project is to help each student achieve educational and employment success through self-advocacy and self-determination skill building and practice.  Throughout the semester, each student will:
           

Develop critical skills to:

  • Find the career that is right for them
  • Discover their interests and strengths
  • Understand their disability rights and responsibilities
  • Create a professional resume

Practice critical skills to:

  • Communicate effectively with employers and others
  • Budget money
  • Manage time
  • Interview for jobs

 

Build a network of supportive people who will help them find a paying summer or after-school job.

 

 

At the completion of the course, each student will take away a portfolio containing the following completed items: 

    • Summary of Kansas Career Pipeline assessments
    • Summary of Personality/Learning Profile
    • Summary of Primary Career Interests
    • Personal Mission Statement
    • Time Management Schedule
    • Researched Career/Occupation Interests
    • Stress Management Plan
    • Job Search Results on 1 – 3 Employers/Schools
    • Current Resume
    • Financial Goals and Personal Budget
    • Post-High School Educational/Training plan
    • 5-year Plan
    • Letters of Recommendation
    • IEP or 504 Plan

     
 

Soaring to New Heights is a collaborative effort with Wichita USD 259, Kansas Rehabilitation Services, Kansas Health Policy Authority, and the KU Center for Research on Learning.  The project began in the summer of 2008 and the anticipated length is three years.  Classroom instruction began during the Spring 2009 semester in three high schools.  One long-term goal is to provide the course in all USD 259 high schools and auxiliary instructional sites.

The Soaring to New Heights curriculum is divided into the five following units, and utilizes aspects of both Guided Inquiry and Strategic Instruction as part of the instructional methodology.

Unit 1:  Finding my Wings
Focus question:  What does it mean to be “self-determined” and how can I begin to understand myself in those terms?

  • Getting Acquainted and pre-assessments
  • Disability heritage
  • Economic Case for Work
  • Writing “My Story”
  • Learning Styles and Communication
  • The Four Steps to Personal Success
  • Vocational Skills and Interests
  • Introduction to Vocational Rehabilitation and Community Supports
  • Portfolio Introduction

 

Unit 2:  Charting my Course
Focus question:  Where do I want to go in life and what steps can I take that will help me get there?

  • Work and Life Values
  • Personal Mission Statement
  • Setting Long-term Goals
  • Working through Obstacles and Roadblocks
  • Setting Intermediate and Short-term Goals
  • Time Management

 

 

 

Unit 3:  Taxing Down the Runway
Focus question:  How can I build a good team to help me make good choices and decisions?

  • Decision Making using Career Cluster Research
  • Communicating Who I Am
  • Age of Majority Rights and Responsibilities
  • Self-Advocacy and Transition Planning
  • Drafting My Plan
  • I-Plan Strategy for IEP Planning

 

Unit 4:  Adjusting my Flight Plan
Focus question:  How can I effectively respond to challenges or expectations I didn’t anticipate and still advocate for myself?

  • Using my Portfolio
  • Dealing with Stress
  • Communicating Strengths, Needs, and Accommodations
  • Job Search Essentials
  • My Past Accomplishments
  • My Dream Job
  • Finding Job Options in my Community

 

Unit 5:  Taking Flight
 Focus question:  What can I do to make things easier on myself?

  • Building a Resume
  • Preparing for the Job Interview
  • Completing Job Applications
  • Planning for Independent Living
  • Work Expectations and Ethics
  • Work Environment
  • Staying on Track with Money Management
  • My Five Year Plan
  • Celebrating Success and Post-Assessments

 

Upon completion of the class, each student will be assisted in securing summer or after-school paid employment.  The post-assessments will be administered at the end of the work experience and again one year after the student has graduated from high school.

For more information, contact:            Linda Robinson, Project Coordinator
                                                            KU Center for Research on Learning
                                                            1122 West Campus Road; Room 517
                                                            Lawrence, KS.   66045-3101
                                                            785-864-6059
                                                            lrobinso@ku.edu