Introduction to Self-Determination

This course helps students understand their strengths, learning needs, rights, and responsibilities. Students learn about their Individualized Education Program (IEP), which explains their educational goals and supports. They practice setting goals, making decisions, asking for help, managing time, and speaking up for themselves. These skills help students become more confident and involved in planning their education and future.

Focus on Adulthood

This course prepares students for everyday adult life. Students explore employment, budgeting, transportation, housing, healthcare, community activities, and available support services. They practice communication, problem-solving, handling disagreements, and identifying the help they may need after high school. The course helps each student build a practical plan for becoming as independent and involved in the community as possible.

Planning for Postsecondary

This course helps students make a clear plan for what they want to do after high school. Plans may include employment, college, career training, independent living, or community involvement. Students practice exploring careers, completing applications, preparing for interviews, managing money, finding financial assistance, and contacting adult service agencies. They also learn how to request needed accommodations and develop a step-by-step plan for reaching their future goals

PAES LAB: What is it and why do we do it? 

The PAES Lab is a hands-on work assessment where students complete tasks that reflect real workplace skills in areas such as business, construction, processing, consumer services, and technology. It helps us identify each student’s strengths, interests, work habits, and support needs so we can make better decisions about transition goals, job training, and plans for life after high school.

• Students become employees

• Teachers and staff become job supervisors

• Participants clock in and complete assigned work tasks

• Work behaviors and job performance are evaluated

Employees rotate through multiple work areas during scheduled lab periods, completing job assignments and receiving performance feedback.

Work behaviors, productivity, and task completion are recorded and used to support
transition planning and employment preparation.

Participants develop key workplace behaviors such as:

• productivity

• following directions

• problem solving

• working independently

• responsibility

• organization and teamwork

These skills help prepare individuals for community work experiences, employment, and independent living.