The Transition Program at Florida Southern College -
Named "Best ESE Program in Florida in 2005"
In Florida, fewer than 10% of ESE students with developmental disabilities will graduate with a
job... they will not
be prepared to live independently... and they will likely live with
their parents
and become "couch potatoes".
The Transition Class at Florida Southern College has broken all the
traditional rules and has experienced up to a 90% success rate of having its
students employed and, in many cases, living independently with
appropriate supports.
The Transition Class at Florida Southern College
is a partnership that was
facilitated by Noah’s Ark. This partnership, between Florida Southern College and the
Exceptional Student Education Department of Polk
County Schools, was designed
to provide an intense focus on life-skills
training, hands-on employment skills development and finding competitive
employment in the community BEFORE the students "graduate".
The program
also provides the students an opportunity to be included in the social
and recreational activities on campus with age appropriate peers.
The curriculum for non-disabled students that are seeking an education degree has been modified to allow them the opportunity to experience hands-on training
while working with ESE students and
developing
long-term friendships.
The remarkable success of The Transition Program at Florida Southern
College has prompted Polk County Schools to expand the program to five
locations within the County. There have been more than a dozen other school
districts in Florida visit the Florida Southern program and then create a
similar program in their districts. This program has been
presented at a National Conference in the State of Maryland.
P.S. This transition program has been relocated to Southeastern University in Lakeland.
Noah's Ark of Central Florida: PO Box 92221 505 Bartow
Road Lakeland, FL 33804-2221
Phone: (863) 687-0804 Fax: (863) 808-5787 website:
www.NoahsArkFlorida.org