Preparing for Life After High School

Preparing for Life after High School

      Sometimes, a student knows what s/he wants to do after high school - work, go to college, enter military service, but s/he has not "worked out the details" of how to accomplish those goals.  Sometimes, a student has not realistically explored his or her options or has not yet even begun to think about what s/he will do after leaving high school.  It can be a confusing time.

      "What are my strengths?"  "What are my weaknesses?"  "What are my career interests and work values?"  "What will be the best career for me?"

      A Level II Vocational Assessment provides a realistic picture of a student's abilities, interests and other things important in career planning.  Often, a student has special talents that may not be evident in an academic setting.  Vocational assessment is concerned with a student's unique skills, abilities and weaknesses as they relate to the world of work. 

     Level II Vocational Assessments also help students with an interest in high school vocational training choose the most appropriate program that combines their career interests with their personal abilities and needs.

      A student's first step in career planning should be to visit his or her high school career center to explore vocational interests.  Interest inventories and career exploration materials are available through your School Counselor or via the internet.

      Often, a student with a disability may need accommodations or modifications at a work site in order to perform a job successfully.  A Level II Vocational Assessment will recommend strategies specific to each student so that work training, job or college goals can be achieved. 

      A Level II Vocational Assessment is appropriate for all students aged 14-21 as recommended by the local school district Committee on Special Education.  This option might be discussed at the student's Annual Review meeting or at other times during the school year by parents, teachers and case managers.  However, parent consent must be obtained by the home school district as well as written authorization from the home school District Superintendent.  Referral forms and authorization forms can be found in the "Forms" section of this website but may only be submitted by the home school district Committee on Special Education chairperson or Chief School Officer. 

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