Course Description

This special education course is designed as the first of a two-course orientation level series that will introduce the student to an overview of vocational education and career development. The course will stress career awareness, vocational and self-assessment, introduction to appropriate general work attitudes and behaviors. Student interests and abilities information will be processed to be included in the student's individual vocational plan. Through role-playing, class discussions, reading and writing, students will develop and practice basic work behaviors. Classroom activities will be commensurate with the needs and abilities of the students in relationship to the course objectives. The development of employability skills, as well as transition skills and vocational ethics, will be included in the course. Students may also apply these skills by securing and maintaining a non-paid job within the school. 

Grade Open To: 9-12

Course Description

This special education course is designed as the first of a two-course orientation level series that will introduce the student to an overview of vocational education and career development. The course will stress career awareness, vocational and self-assessment, introduction to appropriate general work attitudes and behaviors. Student interests and abilities information will be processed to be included in the student's individual vocational plan. Through role-playing, class discussions, reading and writing, students will develop and practice basic work behaviors. Classroom activities will be commensurate with the needs and abilities of the students in relationship to the course objectives. The development of employability skills, as well as transition skills and vocational ethics, will be included in the course. Students may also apply these skills by securing and maintaining a non-paid job within the school. 

Grade Open To: 9-12

Course Description

This special education course is for junior or senior students. Major units of instruction will include, but will not be limited to, identification and development of basic skills required of an entry-level job. Possible job fields include agriculture, business, family and consumer sciences, industry, or health care. Identification of task mastery will be outlined in each student's individual education plan. Transition planning will also be an integral part of employment preparation. The development of employability skills, as well as transition skills and vocational ethics, will be included in the course. Students will be expected to engage in job shadowing activities. 

Grade Open To: 11-12

Course Description

This preparation-level special education course should be viewed as the capstone course of the vocational program sequence. Commensurate with the student's skills and abilities, the following vocational development areas will be explored: understanding business, developing human relations skills, developing and improving communication skills to include finding, getting and keeping a job, understanding the law and the young worker, developing individual potential, coping with stress and conflicts, meeting adult responsibilities, being part of work organizations, using job related math and money skills, understanding taxation, preparing for future employment, analyzing individual and group job placements with or without job coaches. Transitioning and vocational choices will be explored along with understanding what community and government agencies are available. The development of employability skills and vocational ethics will be included in the course. This course is generally taken in conjunction with Special Education Vocational Co-op Work. These interrelated cooperative education courses qualify the student to receive consumer education credit toward graduation as required by the School Code of Illinois (Section 27-12.1). 

Grade Open To: 10-12

Course Description

This course is taken in conjunction with Special Education Vocational Co-Op Class or SCORE Vocational Class. This work-study course is designed to provide vocational training and technology preparation for an occupation, on a part-time basis. Job search components of resume writing, appropriate dress, interview skills and follow-up procedures are taught. Workplace behaviors along with general and specific work skills are emphasized. Each training station must be approved and must provide each student with an average of 15 hours of work a week. The Work Training Partnership Program located at Joliet Junior College will provide each SCORE student training hours based on the recommendations of the IEP Team. The emphasis is on job training rather than remuneration. Staff will conduct job visitations, and job coaches will be used as appropriate. Note: For Cooperative Work Education, see Work Internship in the Career & Technical Education Section. Necessary to satisfy School Code of Illinois (Section 27-11.1). 

Grade Open To: 10-12