PAES Lab

PAES Lab 

Written by Cassidy Ostrander 

Education at Yough High School is expanding. Traditional classrooms and academics remain important; however, many educators are recognizing the value of preparing students for life beyond tests and report cards. The new PAES lab upstairs in room 205 is helping to make that possible. 

The lab officially opened this school year and was introduced through a grant which Mrs. Oliver and Mrs. Laughlin applied for and were awarded. PAES stands for Practical Assessment Exploration System, and that’s exactly what it is– A program which offers students a hands-on learning environment focused on practical life skills and career readiness through individualized lessons and assessments. While programs like this might be associated solely with special education, the PAES lab is designed to benefit any student whose interest it peaks; And with various lessons falling underneath topics like business/marketing, computer and technology, construction and service, many students could benefit from it. Some activities proved particularly challenging even to the teachers who attempted them. The lab develops real-world readiness that traditional classrooms can't always replicate, and that could appeal to any student at this school. However, due to scheduling and staffing limitations, Yough’s focus is currently on giving special education students the opportunity to use the space first and foremost.

Our space specifically has a kitchen area, a mock apartment set up, laundry facilities, and other opportunities like a 3D printing setup. The students who currently use the lab engage directly with everyday responsibilities and workplace-style activities to prepare them. It affords the ability to develop her students’ confidence and proficiency in subjects which Ms. Oliver’s typical classroom, for example, doesn’t always permit. This program shares similarities to CWCTC’s hands-on, real-world experience learning style, but it brings those experiences directly into the school setting to students who benefit from the functional, independent-living practice. 

High standardized test scores and letter grades are not the sole definitions of a good student. According to Ms. Oliver, the most invaluable part of the initiative is seeing her students recognize abilities in themselves that they did not realize they possessed. Capability and success exist outside of academia, and the experiences fostered in the PAES lab emphasize this. Ultimately, that is what the point of the lab is– skill-building and realistic life after graduation. Whether students move on to college, employment, vocational programs, or independent living, the PAES lab’s environment bridges the gap.