Exceptional Student Education News/Information
The Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is a legal document that is required for every ESE student. This document is updated annually to review/change the educational objectives for a student. Every student at the age of 14 years and older receives a transition IEP. This is to review several domains that have bearing on the transition from high school to post high school living.
It is very important that we identify the goals and objectives that the parent and student have in mind for post high school. We want to make sure we have the necessary goals and supports in place to assist in this transition.
I know that it is hard, at this age, to know for certain what a student wants to do with their lives. Let me give some information that may assist in this process.
This information comes from a “Parent Primer” booklet that is available from our guidance office. The people that have the most influence over teens making career choices are their parents. How do parents influence their teens? Parents influence teens with their attitudes. Stay positive about exploring as many careers as possible. This can be done on the internet with parent help. Help your children find their own way. Discuss with them their dreams, goals and interests.
The workforce of the 21st Century is much different than what we were exposed to when we left high school. One thing we can be sure of is how the technology, economy and social issues will continue to change the workplace. Over the past 50 years the percent of jobs required that 20% of the workforce have a college education. This has not changed. What has change dramatically is that the unskilled and skilled labor force has totally reversed. In 1950, 20% of the workforce required a skill and 60% was unskilled. In the year 2012, this will be just the opposite. Seventeen percent (17%) will be unskilled labor and 67% will require skilled labor.
Therefore it is easy to see why all the emphasis on the basics of reading, writing and mathematics skills. Technical skills are also obviously important. Employees are also saying that “soft skills” are important for success in the workforce. These soft skills include flexibility, problem solving, teamwork and life-long learning.
As can be seen, it is important that we consider these facts when planning an IEP. It is becoming more and more important to do career exploration during high school. Students must decide whether an apprenticeship, military, career and technical centers, community college, university or on-the job-training is what they want for their future. We must begin to plan now. The IEP is our venue to do so for our ESE students.