New VAC Training

1. New VAC Training ESC Region XI Fort Worth, Texas

2. Agenda • VAC Instructional Setting • VAC Historical Perspective • Purpose of VAC • Work-Based Learning • VAC Instructional Arrangement • VAC Job Responsibilities • Common Questions • Quick Tips • Marketing • Tool Kit Essentials ESC Region XI Fort Worth, Texas

3. VAC Urban Myths and Legends ESC Region XI Fort Worth, Texas

4. VAC Historical Perspective • Originated in the 1960’s • State vocational rehabilitation counselors were assigned to work with students with disabilities in local school districts • Develop prevocational and vocational skills • Prepare students for entry into school-to-career programs and on-campus or on-the-job training • The VAC position was integrated as a teacher assignment in local school districts and has evolved over the years. ESC Region XI Fort Worth, Texas

5. Legal Foundations – IDEA 2004 “To ensure that all children with disabilities have available to them a free appropriate public education that emphasizes special education and related services designed to meet their unique needs and prepare them for further education, employment and independent living.” IDEA 2004 §300.1 Purposes ESC Region XI Fort Worth, Texas

6. Legal Foundations – IDEA 2004 IDEA 2004 §300.39 Special Education (a)(4) Travel training means providing instruction, as appropriate, to children with significant cognitive disabilities, and any other children with disabilities who require this instruction, to enable them to— (i) Develop an awareness of the environment in which they live; and (ii) Learn the skills necessary to move effectively and safely from place to place within that environment (e.g., in school, in the home, at work, and in the community) ESC Region XI Fort Worth, Texas

7. Legal Foundations – IDEA 2004 IDEA 2004 §300.39 Special Education (a)(5) Vocational education means organized educational programs that are directly related to the preparation of individuals for paid or unpaid employment, or for additional preparation for a career not requiring a baccalaureate or advanced degree. ESC Region XI Fort Worth, Texas

8. Transition Connections • The IEP must include… “Beginning not later than the first IEP to be in effect when the child is 16, and updated annually thereafter – appropriate measurable postsecondary goals based upon age appropriate transition assessments related to training, education, employment, and, where appropriate, independent living skills.” IDEA § 300.320 ESC Region XI Fort Worth, Texas

9. The Transition Process Age-Appropriate Transition Assessments IEP Present Levels of Achievement and Performance Interests, Preferences, Needs, Strengths Measurable Post-Secondary Goals IEP Annual Goals Education/Training, Employment, Independent Living Courses of Study Coordinated Set of Activities Instruction, Related Services, Community Experiences Agency Linkages Summary of Performance ESC Region XI Fort Worth, Texas

10. My First Job • What was your first job? • How did you get that job? • What were your qualifications? • How long did you keep the job? • How does it relate to your employment history and career path? ESC Region XI Fort Worth, Texas

11. Purpose of VAC • To provide students with disabilities the opportunity to develop specific skills for employment through work-based learning in conjunction with the student’s transition plan • Student goals • Career exploration • Basic skills needed for employment • Workplace competencies for success in current work environments ESC Region XI Fort Worth, Texas

12. What is work-based learning? Handbook for Implementing a Comprehensive Work-Based Learning Program According to the Fair Labor Standards Act (Third Edition) National Center for Secondary Education and Transition (NCSET) http://www.ncset.org/publications/essentialtools/flsa/default.asp ESC Region XI Fort Worth, Texas

13. Work-Based Learning “Work-Based Learning (WBL) is an effective approach in delivering career and technical education and training to youth with disabilities. The WBL approach provides these services in community workplace settings rather than in conventional school environments. Because WBL activities take place in workplace settings, they must comply with the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) administered through the U.S. Department of Labor and state labor laws.” ESC Region XI Fort Worth, Texas

14. Work-Based Learning Continuum CTE or VAC Cooperative Work Experience Community-based instruction Work-Related Training Career Assessment Career Exploration ESC Region XI Fort Worth, Texas

15. Cooperative Work Experience “A cooperative work experience consists of an arrangement between the school and an employer that uses the workplace and its environment to create links between the learning occurring in school and the skills required in the workplace. The experience is closely supervised by a representative of the school.” ESC Region XI Fort Worth, Texas

16. VAC Is … • A special education instructional arrangement/setting • An ARD committee decision • Documented in the IEP with specific goals • Instructional • Work-based learning • A cooperative work experience • Paid employment • Regularly monitored and evaluated • Coded 08 only when student is engaged in competitive employment ESC Region XI Fort Worth, Texas

17. VAC Is NOT … • Career and Technical Education (CTE) • Unpaid employment or unemployment • A credit recovery program • “Early release” or after-school part-time work • A way for students to make money • Students finding their own jobs without approval and school oversight • A behavior intervention program or alternate educational placement ESC Region XI Fort Worth, Texas

18. VAC Instructional Arrangement/ Setting Vocational Adjustment Class ESC Region XI Fort Worth, Texas

19. VAC Instructional Arrangement/Setting (part 1) “This instructional arrangement/setting is for providing special education and related services to a student who is placed on a job with regularly scheduled direct involvement by special education personnel in the implementation of the student’s IEP.” 19 TAC § 89.63(c)(9) ESC Region XI Fort Worth, Texas

20. Regularly ScheduledDirect Involvement • Locally defined involvement of special education personnel • Amount of time • Classroom instruction • On-the job instruction and student support • Frequency • Student interactions • Visits to employers ESC Region XI Fort Worth, Texas

21. VAC Instructional Arrangement/Setting (part 2) “This instructional arrangement/setting shall be used in conjunction with the student’s individual transition plan and only after the school district’s career and technology classes have been considered and determined inappropriate for the student.” 19 TAC § 89.63(c)(9), cont. ESC Region XI Fort Worth, Texas

22. CTE VAC Special education instructional setting ARD placement Paid employment Instruction defined by IEP Mastery criteria individualized in IEP • General education elective (grades 11-12) • Open enrollment • Paid employment • Instruction based on TEKS (classroom and on the job) • Same mastery criteria for all students ESC Region XI Fort Worth, Texas

23. VAC and Graduation Graduation under 89.1070(b)(3) • IEP completion, AND • Meets one of three conditions • Full-time employment, OR • Employability skills, OR • Access to services • Credit requirements for MHSP • Modified or alternate content aligned to grade-level standards • Participation in state assessments • Summary of Performance (SOP) ESC Region XI Fort Worth, Texas

24. VAC Credits and Course Alignments • Credit earned through VAC • Elective credit • Based on the number of class periods on the student’s schedule that are designated for work-based learning through VAC • VAC may not replace core content instruction • VAC is a locally developed special education course ESC Region XI Fort Worth, Texas

25. VAC on the AAR • Can VAC be placed on a student’s transcript? • No, VAC is an instructional arrangement/setting and identifies the student as receiving special education services. Using “VAC” on the AAR (transcript) is a breach of confidentiality. • Districts should name the “VAC” program to reflect instructional content. Work-Based Learning, Community Work Experience, Career Training, Job Training, etc. ESC Region XI Fort Worth, Texas

26. ARD Committee Authority • ARD committees can not override local district requirements (Board policy) • District credit requirements • District grading policies • District attendance policies and requirements ESC Region XI Fort Worth, Texas

27. ARD Committee Authority • ARD committees can not override federal or state requirements • All core content teachers must be Highly Qualified • All students must receive TEKS based instruction aligned to enrolled grade level standards • All students must participate in statewide assessments ESC Region XI Fort Worth, Texas

28. Common Questions What happens when a student loses his/her job? • A student who loses a job must be provided with a full instructional day during the time he or she is without a job. A student may not stay at home during the time in which he or she was previously on the job. 4.18.3 Code 08 - Vocational Adjustment Class (VAC) Example ESC Region XI Fort Worth, Texas

29. Common Questions What happens when a student loses his/her job? • For the time the student is gainfully employed, the instructional arrangement/setting code for the student should be 08. • As soon as the student loses his job, the student's instructional arrangement/setting code should be changed to reflect the appropriate code for the interim placement determined by the ARD committee. 4.18.3 Code 08 - Vocational Adjustment Class (VAC) Example ESC Region XI Fort Worth, Texas

30. Common Questions What happens when a student loses his/her job? • Be prepared to schedule an ARD meeting if a student loses their job • NOTE: 10 days = Change of placement • Have an alternative instructional schedule prepared to present to the ARD committee ESC Region XI Fort Worth, Texas

31. Common Questions Can the ARD committee ask the student’s his/her immigration status? • No, confidentiality of immigration status is protected under FERPA. • The ARD-C must allow participation in special education programs including special education and related services ESC Region XI Fort Worth, Texas

32. Common Questions Can a student who does not have legal immigration status be placed in VAC ? • No, the ARD committee may place the student in a work program that do not provide monetary compensation. • The student may participate in work related training program. ESC Region XI Fort Worth, Texas

33. Other Questions? ESC Region XI Fort Worth, TX

34. VAC Qualifications and Job Responsibilities Vocational Adjustment Coordinator ESC Region XI Fort Worth, Texas

35. Vocational Adjustment Coordinator • Qualifications • Vocational Adjustment Coordinators must complete 60 clock hours of specified in-service trainings resulting in a certificate of completion. • Teachers assigned to this instructional arrangement will have 3 years from the date of assignment to complete the new criteria. 19 TAC Chapter 231.1(e) ESC Region XI Fort Worth, Texas

36. Vocational Adjustment Coordinator • Specified trainings: • Job development and job/task analysis including job market evaluation and employment outlook • Student vocational assessment to create job match • Vocational annual goals in IEP linked to postsecondary goals • Employment supports • Employment ESC Region XI Fort Worth, Texas

37. So… What’s my job? Vocational Adjustment Coordinator Top 10 Tips ESC Region XI Fort Worth, Texas

38. TIP # 1Manage Paperwork Document, Document, Document! • Daily • Weekly • 3 weeks • 6 Weeks • 9 Weeks • Semester • Teacher observations • Communication logs • Student work documents • Employer evaluations • Progress Reporting ESC Region XI Fort Worth, Texas

39. TIP # 1Manage Paperwork Keeping up with paperwork usually means – Make a check mark as you distribute forms  Make an X out of the check mark as forms are returned to you  more paperwork ESC Region XI Fort Worth, Texas

40. Tip #2Provide a VAC Class Syllabus • A class syllabus may contain the outline of the course/program along with any forms that will be used for the program • Curriculum and instruction foundations (core learning objectives) • Expectations for successful participation by all students ESC Region XI Fort Worth, Texas

41. Tip #2Provide a VAC Class Syllabus • Guidelines and procedures • Develop a system and get administrative approval • Grading criteria • Evaluations • Required documentation • Other instructional assignments • Job search • Loss of job • Attendance at school • Work hours expectations • Employment documentation ESC Region XI Fort Worth, Texas

42. TIP # 3Set and Keep Office Hours • Set office hours and maintain a calendar • “Black-out” time for paperwork, campus/district required meetings, etc. • Provide students with phone and/or email contact information • Set individual appointment times with students, parents, and employers ESC Region XI Fort Worth, Texas

43. Tip #4Maintain Communication • Establish ground-rules for communication with students, parents, and employers • Communicate with all concerned parties when a student violates established VAC guidelines • If the violation requires a change in placement, an ARD must be held • Document all communications Honesty Mutual respect ESC Region XI Fort Worth, Texas

44. TIP # 5Organize Student Information • Personal student data • Address • Home and cell phone • Email address • Parents • Names • Phone numbers • Email • Class schedule • Employment Information • Employer • Supervisor • Phone numbers • Email • Student job title and job description Confidential ESC Region XI Fort Worth, Texas

45. TIP #6Develop Student Contracts • General participation expectations • Specific student expectations • Employment information • Signatures of the student, parents, and VAC • Two copies • One to be signed and turned in • Another for student parents access throughout the year ESC Region XI Fort Worth, Texas

46. Tip #7Record Weekly Work Schedules • Provide a form to record the student’s weekly work schedule • Student name • Place of employment /location • Dates of the work week • Work days (Monday – Sunday) • Scheduled work hours ESC Region XI Fort Worth, Texas

47. Tip #8 Provide a Work Release Pass • Find out district/campus procedures • Let the students know the procedure and then expect them to follow that procedure • If the district does not have an “official” work-release pass, make one for students ESC Region XI Fort Worth, Texas

48. Tip #8 Work Pass to Leave Campus WORK RELEASE PASS Texas High School School Year 2012-2013 ____________________________ is a member of the ___________ work program and has permission to leave school at_________ (time) daily. ____________________ Instructor’s Name ESC Region XI Fort Worth, Texas

49. Tip #9Market Your Program Marketing is not who you know… But who knows YOU! ESC Region XI Fort Worth, Texas

50. Tip #9Market Your Program • Research the current labor laws • Fair Labor Standards Act http://www.dol.gov/opa/aboutdol/lawsprog.htm • US Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division http://www.dol.gov/whd/ • Child Labor http://www.dol.gov/whd/childlabor.htm • Youth Rules http://www.youthrules.dol.gov/index.htm • Disability Resources http://www.dol.gov/dol/topic/disability/index.htm ESC Region XI Fort Worth, Texas