Whether you have a PAES® lab or are interested in knowing more about how the PAES® engages students in preparing for the transition to life after high school, this site offers information and insight into the process of how PAES® and the PAES-Scan® Scoring System help students discover their potential for employment and potential interests in a variety of career options.
“We never really know what a student can do until we give them a chance to try.”
PAES was developed by Dr. Judith (Judy) Swisher, a transition teacher in Kansas, over thirty years ago (www.paesauthor.com). The validation of the PAES lab was the subject of her Doctoral Dissertation at the University of Kansas in 1998.
Judy is very passionate about authentic assessment and the inspiring results that can be achieved in such an environment. She loves to assist anyone working in a PAES lab, and is available to answer questions at judy@paesauthor.com.
Rebekkah's exposure to PAES began at a very young age, when her mother, Dr. Judith Swisher, first created the program in her own classroom. In the initial stage of expanding to other schools, she collated curriculum manuals and packed boxes in the family basement. In the 30 or so years since then, she has watched it progress into a statistically validated tool for assessing employment potential and has seen its reach expand nationwide. Today, she works with her mom to maintain author support, training content and directs the development and execution of the PAES Scan 2.0 Mobile and Web Application. She holds a B.S.Ch.E. from the University of Kansas, and was the former Editor in Chief of Chemical Engineering Magazine. She looks forward to hearing your questions, needs and suggestions at rebekkah@paesauthor.com
Theresa joined our team in 2019 after working as a Paraeducator in the Special Ed field for seven years. Her most recent position was in the district intensive support classroom in a highschool environment. She was first exposed to PAES in 2014 while supporting a student who participated in the lab and thought the hands-on nature of the lab was great for all the students. Theresa became a PAES Lab supervisor in 2017 and was quickly impressed with the system. "I recognized right away the impact PAES had on the students in the lab, and the potential for the impact to be even greater the more I got to know all the ins and outs of the program". Currently, Theresa provides customer support for the PAES Scan App and PAES Training. She is also the PAES Scan Sales and Support Specialist and provides sales support to both customers and sales reps out in the field.
