Programs,materials,and techniques

Abstract

High school counselors expend much effort assisting students in planning for their futures. Teachers present career and vocational units, take students on field trips, bring in guest speakers, and provide reading material about various occupations. When the pupil who is considering career planning also has a learning disability, the teacher and counselor must even more carefully plot exploration of possible jobs — in the elementary school curriculum as well as at the secondary level.

Part of our efforts should also be directed toward earlier introduction of vocational information into the school curriculum. The last few years have, in fact, seen a move toward earlier introduction of career awareness activities and exploration of the world of work. This development seems a positive step in the direction of lessening the “I graduate in May, what am I going to do now?” problem.

This column does not attempt to address itself to the current issue of whether the major emphasis in secondary programming should be on basic skills, with career education as a subunit, or on a career education as the primary teaching goal. We do feel, however, that career awareness must be at least a part of the total curriculum for the learning disabled student. Further, many varied, and careful opportunities for exploring career possibilities will more likely result in job selections which will minimize the effect of various learning disabilities in individual students.

We have included examples of career awareness, career exploration, and planning materials. Materials for young children are reviewed here, as well as materials suitable for secondary programming. We have also included materials in a variety of formats. — C.V.E., B.W.