By Erlinda Cruz-Quintero, Vocational Education Instructor
Transitioning students from Secondary Education to Post Education can be an inspiring yet complex process for educators, parents and students. Fortunately, the Bay Area community is becoming more aware of the limited resources and continues building on this area to make it grow.
Hope Technology School Vocational Education Program has taken initiative in the cause! We have made it a priority to help our students with special needs and learning disabilities transition from Secondary Education to Post Education. Our students have the opportunity to further their education and go on to college!
Hope Tech Vocational Education Program has set up a unique bridge program with the Computer Applications & Office Systems (CAOS) Department and the Disability Resource Center at De Anza Community College. Students have successfully completed two quarters of online course work from De Anza Community College.
The CAOS department offers courses that allow students to learn at their own pace without attending classes at the De Anza campus. The CAOS Department offers students certificates to prepare the students for job careers. Our students are currently working towards obtaining the Administrative Assistant/Office Technology Skills Certificate.
Our students are able to complete their CAOS online course work in the HTS Vocational Education Program classroom. We help our students map out a timeline to complete their assignments, monitor their progress, and adapt the curriculum to the student’s learning style. The Disabilities Resource Center, the CAOS Department and the HTS Vocational Education Program continue to work together to provide the support and accommodations that our students need in order to help them successfully complete their work, and build even more bridges of opportunity!