Life Centered Career Education A Competency-based Approach

This curriculum guide, based on the position that career education is a major focus of the educational program, is designed to assist students with disabilities to become productive workers and independent adults. Chapter 1 provides an overview of the history and importance of career education for children with disabilities. The features of career education and the differences between career education and vocational education are explained, and barriers to the implementation of career education are identified. Recommendations for future directions are also provided. Chapter 2 describes the Life Centered Career Education (LCCE) Curriculum, which organizes 22 student competencies into three primary categories: daily living skills, personal-social skills, and occupational guidance and preparation. Information is presented on the LCCE transitional model; implementation of the LCCE model; and the roles of special educators, general educators, families, and community personnel in the LCCE education program. Each of the 22 competencies is further divided into 97 subcompetencies presented in Chapter 3. For each subcompetency, objectives are listed along with activities and strategies for achieving the objectives and an explanation of the adult/peer role. The final chapter discusses student competency assessment and provides rating scales to measure performance on subcompetencies. A LCCE individualized education program form is provided. Appendices include a competency rating scale manual and master forms for duplication. (CR)