Alternative Spring Break for Public Charter Students with Disabilities
A cohort of 25 DC public charter high school students with learning challenges and disabilities participated in a pilot project through the DC Special Education Cooperative called Alternative Spring Break, with the purpose of preparation for life after high school. Students gained insight on career exploration and readiness, social skills development, and instruction in independent living and self-advocacy.
Studies show that students with disabilities are more likely than their peers without disabilities to experience unemployment, lower pay, and higher job dissatisfaction. Experts agree that for students with disabilities having work and work-based experiences as a student are vital to a productive transition to independent adulthood. "As a charter school teacher, I was looking for the Co-op's Alternative Spring Break to be a chance for my students with IEPs to spend a full week dedicated to life skills that will be relevant and helpful to them in their next steps," said Anna Jesseman, teacher at Washington Latin PCS. The DC Special Education Cooperative’s (Co-op) innovative Alternative Spring Break provides an effective and valuable conduit for these 25 young adults with disabilities to build pathways to successful lives that include independence, employment and productivity.
These students experienced a typical workweek, arriving on time each day, dressing professionally, learning money management for the workplace (cost of transportation, lunch, etc.) and expanding their workplace skills such as networking and teamwork, accepting feedback and workplace communication. Faculty for this innovative program included a former military officer, special education teachers from Washington Latin PCS and DCPS and the Co-op’s Transition Specialist, Rebecca Foster, who developed this project.
Ben, a 16-year old Paul PCS sophomore said, "I hoped that at the Alternative Spring Break, I would learn skills on how to get a job. It has been awesome, and everything has been about learning - elevator talk, how to dress for work, how to write an email, how to work with others, and the best part has been to meet other students like me!"
In a partnership with the DC Rehabilitative Services Agency (RSA), the students who successfully complete all five days will participate in interviews for potential employment during the summer of 2016.
Meet some of the participating students:
- Corinthian, a senior at Kingsman PCS, she is interested in building her connections with other students across the district while exploring a career in cosmetology.
- Elijah, a senior at Washington Latin PCS. His goal is to gain valuable work experience during ASB to build his resume working in politics and civil service.
- Dontavian, a senior at KIPP is very excited to explore career options such as acting, and occupational therapy.
- Kiara, a senior at KIPP is described by her teachers as a very trustworthy student who interested in being a psychologist. Over ASB her goal is to learn new things and gain exposure to working in a professional environment.
My students came back really happy with their experience, and one student in particular, sent me three emails throughout the week about her efforts and strengthened enthusias to move forward with her dream of becoming a chef. Our teaching team cannot thank the Co-op enough for this dedicated week for our students," said Jesseman. Students participants represented: Kingsman Academy PCS, Washington Latin PCS, Paul PCS, Chavez Parkside PCS, KIPP DC, and Friendship Tech Prep Acacemy PCS. "