Midview High School kicks off work-based learning program
Midview High School is proud to announce the initiation of a work-based learning program for students with disabilities. The program, implemented this school year, provides students the opportunity to work with area businesses, gaining valuable work experience and connections for a career after graduation.
Midview Intervention Specialist Katie Evin said the goal of the program is to give students a variety of work experiences that will help determine their work preferences, interests, strengths and needs. “During a student's freshmen and sophomore years, they work in school-based jobs and learn the soft skills required for employment,” she said. “Each morning, our students run the Middie Café, a coffee shop for staff members. They run a recycling program in our school and work in the Midview Clothing Closet collecting, organizing and washing donations from community members. During their junior and senior years, the students transition into community-based jobs and leave the school building during the day to work in local businesses with the assistance of an intervention specialist acting as their job coach.”
Although these jobs are all volunteer, students are given biweekly "pretend" paychecks. Students learn how to deposit their paycheck in the bank and manage their own checking accounts. They have the opportunity to buy items in their reward store and can save their money to buy bigger prizes such as pizza parties and gift cards.
“We’re really proud of the work Katie Evin and our students are doing,” said Midview Superintendent Dr. Bruce Willingham. “As a school district, we really want to make sure we’re providing pathways to success for all our students. This program will go a long way to building the necessary foundations for our students to build a bright future.”
Data shows that adults with disabilities are less likely to obtain and maintain employment after high school graduation than individuals without disabilities. Dr. Frank Major, director of education for Midview Schools, said this program is providing beneficial experiences. “The Work-based Learning Program is beneficial because it provides students with authentic work experiences and helps students make connections with local businesses for potential jobs after graduation,” Dr. Major said. “Our team of intervention specialists have already observed positive results; the students in this program enjoy coming to school each day, take pride in their work, and feel a greater sense of accomplishment.”
Right now, the program is working with Our Lady Queen of Peace in Grafton and is looking to build more relationships with area businesses. Interested parties may contact Katie Evin at kevin@midviewk12.org.