The primary purpose of this course is to guide students through the decision making process that will lead them to setting initial post high school career plans. Secondary goals would include the student becoming familiar with high school curricular opportunities available to them during their junior and seniors years, the portfolio, and finding relevancy for their daily learning and how it is connected to their future goals.

Students will be guided through a sequence of instructional experiences, which will lead them to an initial career goal, and empower them to reuse these skills in the future as they continue to change and modify their goals. The instruction will enable them to be able to complete the following:

✓ Identification of their personal work preferences (interests, skills, values, length of training)

✓ Familiarity and proficiency in accessing information whether that be through the Internet, common reference guides or school catalogues. The types of information sought will be regarding occupations, types of training programs that will lead to the field, schools or other agencies offering the training etc.

✓ Identify a group of occupations that potentially match their preferences.

✓ Develop a course plan for the junior and senior year that correlates to their established goals.

Group and individual discussion will be highly emphasized in this course. Students will be involved in activities which help them clarify their learning style preference, personalities with regards to occupational selection, and value clarification with regards to a number of occupational characteristics. Students will learn to use computerized programs and the Internet to assist them in formulating an initial life plan for work and training. Students will formulate an academic plan for the 11th and 12th grades. Daily living skills and concepts such as budgeting, credit card management, conflict resolution, and personal responsibility will be covered in the course. Additional areas of study will include: skills/traits necessary for academic and work success as well as the areas needed to secure employment. Students will place important personal information into their Student Portfolio, a file which will reflect their planning as it evolves.