Education for Employment Improvement Project

An Overview

The Education for Employment Improvement Project began as a cooperative partnership between the Office of Career and Technical Education Services, Virginia Department of Education and the Department of Occupational and Technical Studies, Old Dominion University. Other contributors included the Virginia Association of Vocational Education Special Needs Personnel (VAVESNP), the Virginia Career and Technical Education Resource Center, and the Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services. With the termination of funding in support of this project from the Virginia Department of Education, it continues on a limited basis by Old Dominion University's Department of Occupational and Technical Studies and the Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services. The purpose of this project continues to be to improve vocational special needs programs in Virginia.

The Education for Employment Program
The primary purpose of the Education for Employment Program is to help students with special needs develop independent living skills, technical knowledge, and work attitudes. Education for Employment provides students opportunities to meet realistic goals based on their interests, abilities, achievement levels, aptitudes, and special needs.

Definition of Education for Employment
Through a combination of education and training strategies, Education for Employment (EFE) prepares students with special needs for independent living and productive careers. Students engage in activities that allow them to blend their academic and vocational studies and work experiences to solve real problems, perform real tasks, and produce real products.

EFE classes have limited enrollment to provide students increased individual, relevant, competency-based instruction, adjusted for learning styles, interests, and capabilities, and assisted or accelerated by technology. Each student has an individual learning plan based on appropriate assessments.

EFE enhances development of both work and independent living skills. Elements of self-management, human relationships, communication and social skills, self-advocacy, transition, leadership, teamwork, decision making, higher-order thinking, conflict resolutions, and responsible citizenship are included in the program of studies.

Students may enter the EFE program at the level at which they are qualified and progress to the next level/course or exit into an appropriate vocational program service or nonvocational program for more specialized career preparation.

Project Activities
So far this project has planned and hosted six state-wide professional development conferences, assisted in the development of an improved curriculum, planned and conducted nine regional workshops, completed a state-wide survey on the status of the program, developed an Instructional Resource Manual, helped establish and facilitate the Education for Employment Leadership Council, developed a partnership with the Department of Rehabilitative Services, and provided encouragement and advise to the Virginia Association of Vocational Education Special Needs Personnel (VAVESNP).

In Summer 2007, the Education for Employment Improvement Project will offer endosement courses for the Add-On endorsement for Vocational Special Needs and program assistance on request. These two courses will be offered as web-based courses.

Assistive Technology Initiative
Additional services have been offered in collaboration with the Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services by establishing the Virginia Assistive Technology -- Southeast Office and demonstration laboratory. VATS-SE provides outreach services to persons with disabilities who need assistance in their workplace or home. The office provides information on low interest loans for equipment and devices, as well as modifications to homes and vehicles, it builds collaborative activities with schools, civic organizations, government agencies, and others interested in assisting people with disabilities to develop and maintain productive independent lives. The major projects in the 2006-2007 academic year include expanding the demonstration laboratory, co-sponsoring an Fashion show in collaboration with the ODU Fashion Program and the ODU Insititute for Learning in Retirement, conducting a collaborative regional conference and health and wellness fair, and taking the lead role in planning and hosting a two-day "Say YES to College" trainsition-to-college orientation for students with special needs who plan to go to college. In additon to these initiatives, we will coordinate the development of an asistive technology reclycling system for southside Hampton Roads.

Virginia's Education For Employment Improvement Project

Virginia's
Education For Employment
Improvement Project