The purpose of this study was to gather the perspectives of community partners regarding the work experiences for youth with disabilities to provide an understanding of (a) the community's role and (b) how connections in rural communities were formed. This study provided a deeper understanding of the processes that influence the phenomenon of…

Students with significant disabilities typically experience poor postschool employment outcomes. However, when provided opportunities to work and engage within their communities, they can gain necessary work-specific and workplace social skills to improve outcomes. This article outlines a six-step model for community-based employment programs…

The article describes the development, curriculum, and implementation of Project WORTH (Workshops of Realistic Training for the Handicapped), a six-year, four-phase, community-school interaction program, beginning in junior high, to provide mildly handacapped students with responsible work behaviors for successful employment. (MC)

Discusses a study undertaken to evaluate the influence of two community learning programs on the adolescent participants. Topics discussed include differences in staff roles in the programs, program characteristics, learning outcomes, and participant attitudes. Findings indicated that, in general, youth liked the community programs and learned a…

The article describes a model career exploration program, the Professional Career Exploration Program for Minority and/or Low Income Gifted and Talented Students, which was created as a tenth-grade community exploration program. Sections address the multistage process used to identify disadvantaged gifted students, the inclass seminars for student…

The Community Observation Project in Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania) has helped more than 100 secondary students with disabilities to learn prevocational skills and behaviors through observation and hands-on experience at 20 local businesses. Details of program implementation, including recordkeeping forms, are provided. (DB)

The author states that education is the primary delivery system for the labor market but that there still exists a need for a comprehensive community-based education-work program. He describes the industry-education council concept providing system-wide linkages between educational and community resources and discusses industry-education council…

The Card Connection: Business for Children project gives East Harlem elementary school children an understanding of economics. This greeting card business teaches math and communication skills, interview techniques, basic economics concepts, and salesmanship. Requirements include a minimal initial investment for materials and supplies, an…

Describes the benefits of community-based career education and offers suggestions on setting up a program. Discusses locating and recruiting community resources, placement of students in the community site, follow-up interviews and other liaison activities which help students apply academic knowledge, test the feasibility of plans and develop…

Brazil's Project Rondon, an educational program aimed at broadening a student's education and to assist in the development of the nation's most poverty-stricken areas, is described. Teaching the poor to meet their own needs is the guiding philosophy. (MLW)

This study assessed the effects of a Brevard County (Florida) high school-based vocational training and community-based on-the-job training program called Brevard's Exceptional Students in Transition (BEST). Results indicated positive improvements in vocational skills and behaviors of participants in the BEST program. (JDD)

A program was implemented to provide a community-based living and work experience for students with mild/moderate mental retardation making the transition from high school to adult life. The program focuses on independent living skills, vocational education, and functional academic instruction. It incorporates shared resources, community-based…

The curriculum report describes the Experience-Based Career Education project (EBCE) that is attempting to foster productive relationships between school and community and to meet the personal and occupational needs of high school students. The four project centers are: Far West School (Oakland, California), the Academy for Career Education…

Describes several alternative education programs in Boston and New York City for inner-city youth which provide positive work experiences at various job sites as well as academic credit. Emphasizes the importance of private industry involvement and support in project and individual successes. (MF)