CAREER ORIENTATION AND OPTIONS PROGRAM (CO-OP)

Project Title:

Career Orientation and Options Program (CO-OP)

Contact Person:

Linda McCann

Mailing Address:

Oakton Community College 1600 East Golf Road Des Plaines, IL 60016

Telephone #:

708-635-1759

Fax #:

708-635-1987

Project Purpose:

The primary purpose of the Career Orientation and Options Program (CO-OP) is to assist and guide students with disabilities to define their career goals. This comprehensive postsecondary career development program provides opportunities for students with disabilities to develop an action plan that will allow them to enter meaningful training programs or employment consistent with their abilities and interests.

General Program Overview:

The CO-OP provides students a variety of career sessions including (a) explore academic choices and career clusters in weekly small workshop groups; (b) match personal skills, values, and interests with general occupational areas; (c) learn about transferring to four-year colleges; (d) heighten awareness of future job opportunities and the range of career choices by attending workshops, job fairs and seminars; (e) learn about networking and informational interview; (f) learn job-search and interviewing skills; (g) develop a personal career plan; (h) meet employers from area businesses; (i) receive academic tutoring; and (j) learn self-advocacy. Each program component guides the student to develop self-advocacy, goal setting, and active learning skills which are essential to a successful career exploration process.

Unique Program Components:

• Individualized Coursework: A series of 16 class sessions include an array of pre-employment skills through which students progress at an individualized rate. The sessions are supplemented by a video program that allows students to practice new skills.
• Training: A staff orientation and inservice training are developed to increase disability awareness among faculty and staff members.
• Information and advocacy sessions: Sessions are presented to area high school special education teachers and counselors, students with disabilities and their parents, businesses, and industry representatives.
• Community collaboration: Cooperative agreements are established with area employers, including preemployment experiences for CO-OP participants as well as permanent employment.
• Citizens' Advocacy Council: This council is set up to ensure community commitment and to advise, campaign, and promote the program.

Taxonomy Practices Identified:

Student Development (Postsecondary)

• Life skills instruction
• Employment skills instruction
• Career and vocational curricula
• Accommodations and support
• Vocational support
• Structured work experiences

Student-Focused Planning

• Student participation
• Accommodations and planning strategies

Interagency Collaboration

• Organizational-level planning

Program Structure and Attributes

• Program philosophy
• Program evaluation
• Human evaluation

Targeted Outcomes:

• Increased competitive employment
• Increased knowledge of career options
• Increased self-advocacy skills
• Increased decision-making skills
• Increased completion of program of study

Evaluation Description:

• Summative: A 5-point Lickert scale questionnaire was used to survey students and families for satisfaction of program. The results from this survey were presented in a final evaluation report.

Evaluation Findings:

• Ninety-five percent of CO-OP students found competitive employment or enrolled in continuing education.
• Fourteen students have full-time employment while 48 students are employed part time.
• Three students transferred to other training programs.
• All employment activities were conducted by the business community.

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