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School-to-Work Guides Students' Transitions into Adult World

Cristina bags groceries at Price Chopper. Ryan and Cody polish the video games at Saratoga Strike Zone. Thomas and Amanda stock shelves at Rite Aid.

They all do it happily because these jobs are their lifeline to independence.

These young people are part of the BOCES School-to-Work Program, a full-day program that has successfully placed 100 percent of its mentally and physically challenged students in supportive employment, day habilitation programs, and college programs for the past 21 years.

“Before School-to-Work, handicapped students left school and entered adult service programs that would have to train and place them in jobs,” said School-to-Work founder and teacher Tammy Goldsmith. “These students left high school with no job preparation. Now, when these students graduate, they are trained and employable.”

Goldsmith started the program in 1991 with a $10,000 grant from the federal government. The WSWHE BOCES program was the first to combine Special Education with Career and Technical Education (CTE) in New York State, and it quickly became a model for BOCES everywhere. In the early years, Mrs. Goldsmith hosted educators from across the state who wanted to observe the program. She also spoke at state-wide conferences on the topic of preparing mentally and physically challenged students for the world of work.

“With the help of Kathy Burns (former director of the Special and Alternative Education division), Anthony Cavotto (former Work-Based Learning coordinator) and Howard Raymond (former principal of CTE), we worked with Committees on Special Education (CSEs) to develop the program,” remembered Goldsmith. “We worked with the adult programs and businesses to come up with a curriculum that not only placed them in jobs, but taught the students skills like how to find a job, how to keep a job, as well as consumer math and resume writing.”

In its first year, in a rented store front in the now defunct Pyramid Mall in Saratoga Springs, the 12:1:2 program placed 12 students in non-paid internships within the shopping complex for half of the day. Then and today, the working students were accompanied by job coaches. The remainder of the day, students honed resumes and job skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, money management, literacy, and interpersonal soft skills.

In addition to other BOCES replicating the WSWHE BOCES School-to-Work program, many districts have tried their hand at recreating it too. However, many do not have the supports to spend half of the day working on applied academics. Nor do they have the 20-plus years of experience with the business community and the area’s adult agencies.

“I have a good rapport with many area businesses and agencies,” said Mrs. Goldsmith. “We all work closely to collaborate and to find the best fit for each student. If the student does not like where they are working, we will find them something else. We have a lot of flexibility.”

A parent of a former student recently wrote a letter about her daughter's experience in the STW program, which began with: “I cannot speak strongly enough about how this program and her experiences there helped to prepare her for post-graduate life.”

The letter goes on to state: “Despite the emphasis on testing and teacher accountability, at the end of the day it is it is a sense of personal pride and concrete competence that will be the biggest measure of our students’ success. The STW program provides exactly what these students need most.”  

The non-paid internships vary in length of time to meet the students’ individual needs. Some feel comfortable working one hour. Others, like Michael, work evenings and weekends too. He proudly announced that at the Mechanicville Price Chopper in his hometown, he was promoted to a paid position. He now handles hundreds of bottles that are returned there each day.  

Others, who are able to take CTE courses, find their niche in chosen fields. Culinary Arts students enjoy food prep in restaurants and bakeries. Horticulture students maintain lawns and gardens at parks and churches.

“We had one student who was in a wheelchair,” remembered Mrs. Goldsmith. “He liked working at Burger King. Burger King built a handicap accessible work area for him. He was there for years. It was wonderful.”

Some students, like two who graduated last year, went on to the College Experience Program at the College of St. Rose. Each year, the college accepts a handful of students with mental disabilities to learn adaptive living skills.

“It’s very competitive. We were so proud of them,” said Mrs. Goldsmith. “Mainly this program works because we are a team: the students, the parents, the school districts, the businesses, the adult agencies and BOCES work together to create an ideal situation for every student."
 



Spotlight Stories

  • School-to-Work Guides Students' Transitions into Adult World
  • Annual Thanksgiving Luncheon
  • Battle of the Books
  • Every Student Succeeds Act
  • Exceptional Learners Division Video
  • Fall 2017 Enrichment Classes
  • F-FMS Students in the News!
  • Spring 2018 Enrichment Classes
  • Summer Enrichment Camp 2018
  • Fall 2018 Enrichment classes
  • 2019 Summer Camp
  • STEAM Fusion
  • Talent Unlimited 2019
  • Washington County is Live on Distance Learning!
  • Four Schools Designated as No Place for Hate Schools for Boces
  • Information for Adult Students
  • Culinary Students Compete “Chopped” Style
  • Unified Sports Was a Game Changer for Culinary Student Joe Pignatelli
  • Information Technology Alumnus Returns to Share His Knowledge
  • Four Schools Designated as No Place for Hate Schools
  • Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students Enjoy Enrichment Day
  • Community Services for Students Transitioning Out of School
  • One in Forty: Being a Girl in the Heavy Equipment Program
  • Congratulations to CTE Students Who Received 2016 Teen Excellence Award
  • Joseph Cutshall-King Shares Writing Career with Students
  • Adult Literacy Teacher Sees Great Results
  • Students Practice Being Theatre Critics
  • 18th Annual Invention Convention
  • Farm To Table Camp A Big Hit
  • Personnel Teacher and Four Young Students
  • Winter 2019 Enrichment Classes
  • Spring 2019 Enrichment Classes
  • Special Ed Division Kicks Off the New School Year
  • Inspiring Ninth Graders to Stay in School
  • A New Magazine By Chance
  • Building Relationships Through Reading
  • Congratulations to Conservation Students Who Competed at National FFA Convention
  • Students Enjoy an Early Thanksgiving Feast
  • Birds of Prey Visit Science Class
  • JUST Beverages Talks Science and Engineering Careers with Local Students
  • Enriching Literacy with an Author's Visit
  • Continued Improvement in Literacy in Special Education
  • Merit Level Students May Purchase the Privilege of Socializing with Senior Citizens
  • Bringing Awareness to Autism
  • Students Welcomed Back to School
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  • Conservation Road Trip > Careers > College > Competition
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  • Enrichment Teacher Kindles Imaginations
  • Celebrate National Manufacturing Day
  • 700 Educators Collaborate at Hudson Falls
  • BOCES STUDENTS COOK WITH MARKET INGREDIENTS
  • Washington County School Collaborative Secures Grant
  • US Department of Education Visits Early College High School, Brings Back News to President
  • Need a High School Equivalency Diploma? Shazima Can Help.
  • Graphics student creates NYS tournament poster
  • Engineering Students Build Photovoltaic Cells at RPI
  • Congratulations to Student of the Month Alex McDonald
  • Walt Chandler's Credits Success to BOCES
  • Culinary Students Learn Art of Gingerbread Making
  • Project Chinese Ends Fall Session With Lion Dance
  • Henderson Wins at National SkillsUSA Competition
  • Students' Arts and Crafts Cheer Up Wesley Seniors
  • Congratulations to Student of the Month Michael Spoerl
  • Financial Assistance for Boces
  • Upcoming Odyssey Events
  • Personnel Teacher and Culinary Student
  • New Graphics/Photography Early College High School Program Offered
  • New Visions Health Helped Dr. Salvatore Focus on Career
  • Ball Metal Container Unveils New Opportunity
  • Students Receive Carol Hartman Memorial Scholarships
  • Myers graphic art students' work recognized
  • Students Win 'Speak Truth to Power' Video Contest
  • Developing Leaders in Our Community
  • Good Sales Equals Great Math
  • Culinary Arts Student Cook for the Homeless
  • Cosmetology Students Raise Funds at Dance Marathon
  • WSWHE BOCES Students Excel at Regional Competition
  • Skilled Workforce in High Demand
  • Let’s Build a Humanoid!
  • ID 150 Auto Technology Earns its Recertification
  • Register now for Ad Continuing Ed Courses!
  • Horse Care Program Moves to Saratoga Equine
  • LPN students lend helping hand at Double H Ranch
  • Natara Mount Wins Saratoga County School Board Association Award
  • Arctic Cat to Hold Training at WSWHE BOCES
  • BEST Student Complete Program with Ceremony
  • iPads Engage Students Interest in Science
  • Being on Merit Has Its Privileges
  • Myers Education Center Students Succeed on GED
  • Training for Healthcare Positions
  • Horticulture Students Hone Skills While Marking the Holidays
  • Something's Fishy in Conservation
  • Eiffel Tower Rises in Welding
  • Culinary Kids Caring Needs Your Vote for a $25,000 Grant
  • Michael Spoerl Wins Community Service Award
  • SAEC Graphics students win poster contest
  • Conservation students assist local district
  • BOCES students bring Thanksgiving to those in need
  • Teen Volunteers help run "Taste of North Country"
  • Students Honored for Artistic and Literary Works
  • Myers students enjoy ice sculpture demonstration
  • SAEC students support Special Olympic's Fall Games
  • Special Ed Moves to Boys Town
  • Teachers have their "Minds On" STEM
  • Students build and program robots in LEGO Camp
  • 15 Teams Move on to the Odyssey State Competition
  • Fort Ann School Adds AP Courses Virtually
  • Students Read Cover-to-Cover with Kindles, iPads
  • Welding Alumna is Award-Winning Sculptor
  • Sanford Street Students Explore the Dinosaur Age
  • Congratulations to Scholarship Winner Ryan Trainor
  • Preschool Helps Youngsters Overcome Obstacles
  • Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Through Graphic Arts
  • Congratulations to Our Spelling Bee Winners
  • Area BOCES Collaborate to Improve Quality of CTE
  • Robots Challenge Camp Ends at TEC-SMART and Global
  • Back to School Time!
  • First Graduating Class of the Adult Machine Tool Technology Training Program
  • Congratulations Class of 2014
  • F. Donald Myers to be inducted in Hall of Fame
  • Discovery's Mike Rowe Champions for Tech Careers
  • 18 Teams Move on to the Odyssey State Tournament
  • Senator Betty Little Encourages Early College High School Students to Fill Area Jobs
  • Flynn Receives Forestry/Environmental Education Award
  • STEM Academy Teaches the Basics of Engineering
  • Regents Reform & CTE
  • 2018 Region 6 Odyssey of the Mind Tournament
  • Personnel ELD Teacher and Three Lab Students
  • 41st Annual Regional Spelling Bee
  • Employers Need Qualified Candidates, BOCES Provides Training
  • Heavy Equipment Students Design and Create Tuff eNuff Challenge
  • In Case You Missed It
  • Literacy Facilitators Assist Teachers with New Currriculum
  • Financial Assistance
  • Congratulations Certified Nurse Assistants!
  • Undersecretary of Education Visited ECHS Advanced Manufacturing Program
  • Congratulations FFA Winners
  • SkillsUSA Pin Design Contest
  • Enrichment Classes Reinforce and Inspire Learning
  • Always Happy to Learn
  • Developing a Unified, Statewide CTE Assessment System
  • Culinary Students Compete “Chopped” Style
  • Congratulations to Conservation Students Who Took Part in FFA Competition
  • T-TEN Program Marries CTE Students with Dealerships and Colleges
  • 90 Students Honored for Artistic and Literary Talents
  • Early College High School Tours GLOBALFOUNDRIES
  • Will You Help Us?
  • Special Education Program Kicks Off the New School Year
  • Hero on the Road
  • Librarian Heaven
  • Conservation Ditches the Classroom
  • Cole’s Collision Connects Kids to Careers

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Address

1153 Burgoyne Ave., Suite 2

Fort Edward, NY 12828

Contact

James P. Dexter,

District Superintendent

c/o jwhite@wswheboces.org

Ph. (518) 581 - 3310 / 746 - 3310

Fax (518) 581 - 3319 / 746 - 3319

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The Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex BOCES does not discriminate in its programs and activities, including employment and admission as applicable, on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, economic status, marital status, veterans' status, political affiliation, domestic victim status, use of a guide dog, hearing dog or service dog, disability, or other classifications protected under federal or state law, and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The designated district compliance officers will coordinate compliance with the nondiscrimination requirements of Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, the Boy Scouts of America Equal Access Act, and the New York State Human Rights Law. The BOCES Compliance Officers are: Turina Parker and Ronald Black, Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex BOCES, 1153 Burgoyne Avenue, Suite 2, Fort Edward, NY 12828. phone: 518-746-3310, email: tuparker@wswheboces.org or rblack@wswheboces.org.  Complaints may also be filed with the Office for Civil Rights, New York Office, U.S. Department of Education, 32 Old Slip, 26th Floor, New York, NY 10005- 2500, phone (646) 428-3800, fax (646) 428-3843, email:OCR.NewYork@ed.gov

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