The Birth of a Blog – What They Say
“You need a blog”, they say. “It’s the best way to build your online brand”, they say. “Use the right kind of words – but not too many words“, they say. “It’ll be fun”, they say. All of the “they says” swirl around my brain as I think about starting a blog for PAES Author. “It could be fun”, I say to myself - after all, it is one of my favorite subjects to talk about! There is a lot to consider when starting a blog – so, I sincerely thank you for reading my first attempt! Starting off with a few examples of what “They” say about PAES – The Practical Assessment Exploration System and students with special needs.
What They Say About PAES
Matt, Workplace Learning Coordinator:
“As part of transitioning students and work-based learning, PAES provides not just an assessment tool, but also a diagnostic tool. It helps not just to identify what a student does well but also what they like. Students are not typically asked if they like what they’re doing in school but with PAES the instant feedback a student gives regarding task satisfaction is a key part of future career exploration and satisfaction.”
“I found it [PAES] extremely useful on many levels. It helped check an actual skill. It checked a student’s preference in a particular type of work. It tested their endurance on some of the tasks that were more time consuming. It helped them be self-aware of their own abilities and it even helped teach some students how to ask for assistance…. Now that I am more familiar with it, I know what to expect and how to best utilize it to my advantage and my student’s advantage when planning for future transition goals for the student’s life after high school and beyond.”
Stephanie, PAES Lab Supervisor:
“PAES is an extraordinary experience geared to get students truly thinking about their future and exposing them to meaningful, good paying jobs they can obtain!! I love this program!!!”
“If you are doing transition planning and are not using PAES, you are behind the times and are probably not making good transition decisions.”
Sara, Work-Based Learning Coordinator:
“I also have a student who is working in the local farm store, where he stocks shelves and carries out items for customers. He's been there for 3 years. He had a letter of recommendation from me from working in the PAES lab. His interviewer saw the letter and hired him on the spot.”
Laura, School Psychologist:
“The most data-driven assessment of student work potential, strengths and needs currently available for IEP development and transition planning.”
What They Say About Students with Special Needs Transitioning to Adulthood
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
“In July 2019, almost half of all persons with a disability who were not working reported some type of barrier to employment…”
We Say: The lack of education or training were among the common barriers reported. PAES plays a key role in combatting that barrier for people ages 16-24 and is customizable to a student’s level of need.
What ‘They’ Say About Schools Preparing Students to Enter the Workforce
Department of Education:
“Educators of students with special needs are required to identify appropriate and measurable postsecondary goals based on age-appropriate transition assessments related to training, education, employment, and independent living.”
We Say: PAES specifically addresses the requirements of the IDEA Act and is dedicated to helping educators meet transition guidelines. This program is a comprehensive solution to developing and meeting government mandated transition goals for future planning, employment, self-advocacy, and independent living.
“Transition must be based on the student’s needs, taking into account his/her strengths, preferences, and interests. It includes instruction, related services, community experiences, the development of employment and other post-school adult living objectives, and, when appropriate, acquisition of daily living skills and functional vocational evaluation.”
We Say: The Practical Assessment Exploration System gives students the opportunity to explore a wide variety of jobs, gives staff opportunities to prepare students for the workplace, and simplifies the reporting process for administrators.
They say the holidays are The Most Wonderful Time of the Year – it is my genuine hope that they are for you as well!