COMMUNITY WORK EXPERIENCE
FALL/SPRING 2008-2009
Westwood High School
Instructor: Wendy Clifford
email: wrcliffo@mpsaz.org
Office Number: 480-472-4646
Room Number: 121
Course Description:
Community Work Experience is a specialized full year program with students obtaining
paid employment in the community based in IEP post high school goals. Students apply
work readiness skills and receive advanced training opportunities through paid
employment in the community, Job development and placement is provided in addition to
minimal job coach assistance, when necessary. Students must work an average of 15
hours per week. Students need to check in with the transition facilitator or transition
specialist to discuss current employment progress and needs and discuss transition needs
at least one time per week. This may be individualized according to the students work
schedule. This course is designed for the student preparing to graduate.
Course Objectives:
1. To apply individual strengths, values, interests and preferences into a
job site.
2. To identify and outreach to outside agencies, adult service providers,
and training/postsecondary education programs.
3. To demonstrate an understanding of appropriate work ethics,
socialization, and problem-solving strategies within the worksite.
4. To help the student demonstrate appropriate work place relationships
with their supervisor and co-workers.
5. If a student is temporarily not assigned to a job site on campus then
the student is expected to go to______________, daily until an
appropriate placement is assigned.
6. Individualized transition education and training will occur throughout
the course through one on one or small group instruction with the
transition facilitator or transition specialist.
7. To improve work habits and skills in preparation for community based
placement
8. Prepare for real world careers as opposed to ‘jobs’ by studying the
Arizona labor market, possible job shadow experiences, completing
informational interviews, and visiting educational/vocational training
institutions to assist with vocational training.
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Attendance at school: Students are expected to attend CWE daily until a
community job placement is secured. Students will develop job leads,
interviewing skills, formal application skill (written and computer), explore parttime work opportunities and additional activities to assist students obtain
employment. Once the vocational placement is verified, the student may leave
school during CWE to attend work (after checking in with them to verify
attendance for class). Additionally, students are responsible for setting up at
least one weekly time period to meet with transition facilitator or transition
specialist to determine individualized post-secondary educational transition
needs (this will be determined on an individualized basis).
Attendance at work: The community based vocational site is an extension of
school. Students are expected to be at work on time each day they are
scheduled. If students are at school they should not miss the day of work
(unless they are not scheduled for that day). If students are sick they are
expected to call the employer at the earliest time possible-with a minimum of 2
hours (I would prefer at the first available opportunity to reach the vocational site
supervisor. If you are out ill, do not leave messages with co-workers-only
speak to your direct supervisor of your department. Do not leave
messages unless it is impossible to reach the supervisor.
Behavioral Expectations:
1. Be on time –as a good employee would demonstrate
2. Be prepared to work-good employees don’t daydream on the job
3. Be respectful to your co-workers-good employees need to use
teamwork and be cooperative with each other
4. Be responsible for your behavior on the job site-do not be concerned
with others job performance-just your own
5. Be willing to lend a hand when others may need help on the job-good
employees will support each other
6. Put forth maximum effort while on the job-no one likes the ‘slacker’
at work
Evaluation Policy: A point system will be used to determine your grade in this
class. The grading system is as follows: Your percentages will be based on a
vocational evaluation given to the community based supervisor as well as postsecondary preparation transition planning activities (individualized or small group
transition training).
A = 90-100%
B = 80-89%
C = 70-79%
D = 60-69%
F = 50-59%
Please sign below to indicate that you understand the course description, classroom
expectations, and procedures. I look forward to working with you and your child to
address his/her transition needs.
I have read the course information and understand the guidelines for the Alternative Work
Experience program.
Student _______________________________________
Date ____________
Parent/Guardian _________________________________
Date ____________