FAQ
What is the Career Connections Program?
Career Connections is a school-to-work transition program designed to help students with disabilities obtain meaningful jobs that match their career goals. The program is structured as a fifth year of special education services with a focus on work skill development and directed by the student’s Individual Education Plan (IEP). The program does not operate within a traditional, building-based structure but is individualized and based in different community locations depending on the student’s career goals.
When is the best time to make referrals to the Career Connections Program?
It is best to inform students and families about Career Connections during a student’s sophomore or junior year as part of ongoing transition planning discussions. This allows staff time to meet with the student and family to answer questions before the senior year. Career Connections staff should be invited to IEP meetings during the senior year and may be included in earlier meetings. Referrals for the school year should be made between November and March of the student’s senior year.
Will students participate in graduation ceremonies during their senior year even if they will be in Career Connections the following year?
Yes, if the student choses to participate in graduation ceremonies, she or he is encouraged to do so.
Will the student receive her or his diploma at the graduation ceremonies?
It is up to each school district to decide how to handle this; many districts present a photocopy of the diploma or a statement of congratulation and notice that the diploma will be held pending completion of IEP goals. Career Connections encourages districts to follow the recommendations of the Iowa Department of Education regarding fifth year programs:
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The student should not receive her or his diploma until she or he has completed all of the required credits for graduation and has been staffed out of special education.
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Once the student completes her or his program and/or is staff out of special education, she or he may be given the diploma.
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Diplomas should be dated as the day upon which the student is staffed out of special education.
Who develops the Career Connection student’s IEP?
The IEP team develops the IEP, and the process remains similar to that during the high school years. The IEP team includes the student, family members, special education teacher, Career Connections staff, high school administrator, and other district, AEA, or community members.
Who manages the student’s IEP during their fifth year in the Career Connections Program?
The special education teacher will continue to manage the IEP. Special education teachers may want to see the IEP Case Management link elsewhere on this website for helpful resources.
Must students participating in Career Connections return to the high school during the fifth year?
Typically, students need only return for IEP meetings and the special education staff out meeting once their program is completed. Career Connection staff are the liaison with the special education teacher. Some students may choose to continue a supportive relationship with their teachers and are encouraged to do so. Some special education teachers may want a student to check in periodically, and Career Connections staff will help determine the best way to do so; for example, a student working a day shift that cannot leave work may check in with the teacher once a month by phone.
What is the time commitment for students who choose to participate in Career Connections?
Students typically are referred to Career Connections during the winter/spring of their senior year. By May of the senior year, student involvement will have begun and average 1-2 hours per week. During the fifth year, the time commitment will vary depending on the student’s career plan and needs, with most working/at an internship site for 20 hours or more per week.
What happens if the student in Career Connections wants to take more classes or could benefit from more classes in the fifth year?
Students may register and attend those classes if they choose to do so and the IEP team determines that those classes meet their needs.
What happens if a student in the Career Connections Program wants to take classes at Kirkwood or elsewhere during their fifth year?
Students can work with their guidance counselor to determine if they are eligible for Post-secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) classes at Kirkwood. Career Connections staff can help the student with the enrollment process and required paperwork. Students may also work with Career Connections staff to explore other job-related options such as licensures or credentialing.
Who pays for classes at Kirkwood, at the high school, or elsewhere?
This is determined based on individual circumstances, e.g., eligibility for PSEO, cost of classes, and family resources.
Are students in Career Connections included in the school districts state and federal counts and other data collection activities?
Yes, students need to be included in the counts in order to draw down educational dollars. The student typically stays on the roster of the special education teacher who is managing the student’s IEP during her or his senior year.
How does the district business office handle fifth year students in the Career Connections Program?
From the business office’s perspective, Career Connections students are the same as other fifth or sixth year students such as those in Vocational Individualized Training and Learning (VITAL) Program.
What about students that are “tuitioned into” the district from other districts?
These students are also eligible for participation in the program. Career Connections staff can work with the district and IEP case manager to help determine the costs associated with serving tuitioned students.
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