Cultural Sensitivity: The Transition Learning Center

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Instructional Setting
The Transition Learning Center (TLC) is a four day per week program for students with disabilities who are 18 to 21 years of age. The goal of the program is to assist Special Education students in their transition from school to the community and the working world. The TLC teacher, career specialist, and three paraeducators work with students to achieve their Individualized Education Plan (IEP) driven goals. Students spend the beginning and end of their day at the TLC which is housed in a portable equipped with a kitchen, a restroom containing a washer and dryer, a meeting area and a computer lab. The program also has a classroom available for use in the main high school building, which has an active board to use for instruction. The first day of the week students typically go on a community outing in order to experience recreational and leisure activities, pedestrian safety and transportation training. Three days a week, paraeducators perform as job coaches to support students with developing vocational skills at work-based training sites throughout the community. These training sites include the local YMCA, senior center, retail warehouse, golf course grounds and restaurant and a screen printing company. Students also receive services from the district’s Speech-Language Pathologist and Occupational Therapist as indicated by IEPs.
Audience
The learner group is composed of ten Special Education students, ages 18-21. Students are one credit away from earning a Certificate of Individual Achievement from the state of Washington. Before transition, students participated in the school district’s Life Skills program, Resource and Enrichment programs, or in a combination of the two program tracks. One student is Hi...

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... others may need pictures to follow. Many in this group will benefit highly from demonstration and repetition. With some effort, most of the students could be able to self monitor and self evaluate their actual skill level. Another accommodation available in the transition program is the availability of paraeducators working with small groups or individuals on specific skills. Achievement of proper hygiene and self-care will have a positive impact on vocational situations of the student and in many cases will improve the quality and availability of employment opportunities.

Works Cited

Snoqualmie Valley School District Report Card. (2013, December 3). Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. Retrieved May 11, 2014, from http://reportcard.ospi.k12.wa.us/summary.aspx?groupLevel=District&schoolId=113&reportLevel=District&orgLinkId=103&yrs=2012-13&year=2012-13

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