The Transition Department sets up, maintains, and supervises the Community Based Vocational Training sites. At these sites, students work as volunteers to improve their work readiness skills. Each class participates at the sites at least on a bimonthly basis.
The Transition Department plans and instructs Transition Classes. The classes take place twice a month preparing students for life after high school graduation. The classes include interest inventories and career skill assessment.
For students that display competitive work skills, the Transition Department assists in looking and applying for a job with an end goal of retaining a job in the community. Quite often, we will use one of our community partner sites to set up a Community Based Assessment. It is used as a way of assessing the student’s ability to perform a particular job or to showcase his or her skills for a potential employer.
In accordance with Chapter 14 of 22 PA Code, for students who are 14 years of age or older, a transition plan that includes appropriate measurable postsecondary goals related to training, education, employment and when appropriate, independent living skills is developed by the IEP team.
At Spectrum Charter School, our Transition Team provides a comprehensive experience to build skills related to employment, post-secondary training, and independent living skills through partnerships within the community and through classroom instruction.
Within the community, our faculty and staff establish, maintain, and supervise community based vocational training sites where students volunteer to improve their work readiness skills. These partnerships help to prepare students for competitive employment opportunities during and beyond their school-age experience. Within the community partner site, each student’s ability to perform a particular job is assessed and continually developed over time.
Within the classroom setting, students attend a transition class that focuses on building their resume and skills to enter the workforce. Students complete various career and interest assessments to guide their thought process on potential experiences.
Throughout each student’s educational program, the transition team, in conjunction with the student and family will explore opportunities for supported employment.
Spectrum Charter School also participates with local Career and Technical Schools including the Forbes Road Career and Technical School and the Northern Westmoreland Career and Technical School. These schools provide vocational training for students interested in entering various trades. Students participating in a career and technical school program would split their school day between Spectrum Charter School and the Career and Technical School.
Career and Technical School Programs may include:
Students enrolled at Spectrum Charter School work closely with faculty and staff to build independent living skills through various hands-on activities to prepare them for independent living. Our transition program has developed learning activities related to cooking/meal preparation, and other household activities such as laundry, and basic cleaning. Students have access to our transition workshop to access a full kitchen, laundry room, and bedroom to practice their skills.
