Educational Service Unit #11 has piloted a vocational English class whose main purpose is preparing students for school to work transition. An important part of the class is teaching students how to read and understand repair manuals. The reading skills that are needed for understanding repair manuals or instructional guides are very different that those for reading literature. A vocational reading class needs to give students the background they need in order to be more successful in the community college setting. It should also give students who do not go to college or tech. school the skills they need in order to be employed. This class addresses reading, writing, communication, organization, and problem-solving skills in the areas of employment. Work related projects carry over into the vocational class, and students also have the opportunity for job shadowing or work experience with employers in the immediate area, specifically in our case the Loomis/Holdrege area.
The VIP project uses what we think is a unique approach to teaching skills that will assist students in preparing for work after school. The Nebraska Department of Education has worked with ESU #11 to set into place pieces that are important to the development of this curriculum. Job Training of Greater Nebraska has also collaborated to provide funding and work sites where students can gain work experience. Central Community College is interested in the project becoming part of a tech prep class through which students can obtain transferable college credit for high school class work. This project has also qualified for consideration by the Carl Perkins consortium.
The Vocational Integration Project was a pilot project at Loomis High School. Rita Skiles, School Rehabilitation Counselor for ESU #11, continues to work with Terry Larsen and Deb Fellows with the ongoing task of continued VIP curriculum development. In addition, at the end of the second year of the VIP pilot program, ESU #11 held training sessions for all area schools to learn how the curriculum was developed and implemented, and how successful each unit was in relation to achieving our goals. The training sessions included sample units, resource lists, and hands-on training using the materials detailed in the units. All interested educators are encouraged to contact Jerry Gronewold or Rita Skiles at ESU #11 for further information.