Question:

Dear Ms. Harvell,

I am a secondary school counselor whose caseload includes special education students. Could you explain the difference between the following programs: WorkAbility, Regional Occupational Programs (ROP), and School-to-Career.

Thank you for your help.

Answer:

This is a great question because many people confuse these programs. All three programs support the President’s No Child Left Behind focus to educate ALL children. I will briefly summarize each program and direct you to web sites for additional information.

WorkAbility (WAI)

WorkAbility (yes the “A” is capitalized) is a statewide program funded and administered by the California Department of Education. This program was designed to provide work preparation and paid/non-paid work experience for secondary special education students. The target group is 14-22 year old special education students. Entry can occur between freshmen through senior year. The majority of students enter at the age of 16 or in their junior year. WAI teaches students skills to help them make transitions from

• school to work,
• post-secondary
• education or training

Students receive comprehensive pre-employment training, job placement, and follow-up services. This is accomplished by providing program services appropriate to individual student interests, abilities, and needs. Secondary students develop an understanding of the following areas necessary to keep a job:

• Job seeking skills
• Employer practices/expectations
• Positive employee characteristics

In addition, this program promotes independent living and provides students the opportunity to complete their secondary education while also learning marketable job skills. Dr. Bob Snowden is the Coordinator for Transition Services and WorkAbility in Sacramento. You may e-mail him at bsnowden@cde.ca.gov. Visit http://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/se/sr/workabltyI.asp for specific information.

Regional Occupational Programs/Centers (ROP/C)

“For everything you always wanted to know about ROCP but was afraid to ask,” can be found at http://www.carocp.org or http://www.carocp.org/pdf/factsheet.pdf.

The difference between WorkAbility and ROP/C is the specific student populations served. As mentioned above, WorkAbilitity was developed to serve special education students. While ROP/C offers its program to the non-special education population, special education students are accepted into the program. The type of ROP/C program (course of study) offered to special education students is determined by the student’s IEP/ITP (Individual Transition Plan) team. The entry age for the ROP/C is 16.

The California Department of Education’s Secondary, Postsecondary and Adult Leadership Division is responsible for funding and compliance issues of this program.

School-to-Career (STC)

The School-to-Career Education home page, http://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/ct/sc, provides specific information about this program. The California Department of Education’s Secondary, Postsecondary and Adult Leadership Division is responsible for funding and compliance of the STC. The responsibility for administering the program is a local partnership between schools, local businesses, and agencies. This program is geared towards providing academic and vocational-technical education to students as they transition to post-secondary, e.g., high-quality employment and advance education, options. The target population is students in the general education program. STC emphasizes the importance of connecting the classroom to careers.

Both the ROP/C’s and STC programs are operated locally and differ district to district. You should contact your local school district for specific information regarding either one of these programs.