Secondary Special Education Programs on Community College Campuses are support programs for secondary vocational education. These programs were developed to provide local school districts with an additional resource to meet the vocational needs of students with mild disabilities. The programs serve students who have unmet vocational goals in their Individualized Education Plan (IEP), and who need vocational programs which are not available at the local district level.

Entrance Requirements:

The decision to place a student in a Secondary Special Education Program must be made by an IEP team (which includes a local district administrator who is responsible for allocating resources and funds and representation from the receiving program). This team then makes a decision as to whether the program is an appropriate option for the student. It is recommended that this is done 18 months prior to graduation.

To determine when a student needs extended high school programming to meet vocational needs, the following criteria must be met:

*The student must have an unmet goal in the transition area of vocational training. *Placement must be based on student preferences, interests and needs. *The IEP team agrees that the student has a reasonable expectation for success in the chosen vocational training program. *The student demonstrates good work-related habits and attitudes, including good school attendance. *It is anticipated that the student cannot successfully complete the vocational program without the academic support provided through the program.

Additional criteria considered in placing a student in the program include:

*The student has had a vocational goal in his or her IEP for two or more years. *The student has participated in career exploration activities and has identified interest in a specific career cluster. *The student's vocational decision has been based on exploration, the students skills and work habits, and the specific prerequisites of the program being considered.

Placement Considerations:

Because these programs are a special education service, all due-process and procedural safeguards are afforded to the student and parents. The student has the right to a free and appropriate education.

Placement may not be time limited. Exiting a student from the program must be determined by completion of the goals and objectives outlined in the IEP, or reaching age 21.

While a student is in a program, community college and school district staff conduct program reviews and develop the student's IEP. If the student does not complete the goals and objectives outlined in the IEP, or drops out of the program, the local school district IEP team will identify alternative program options.

Application:
Contact the appropriate community college or Area Education Agency for application requirements.

PAVE (Program Alternatives in Vocational Education):
Northeast Iowa Community College, Peosta, IA

PAVE (Program Alternatives in Vocational Education) is an alternative program for selected special education students. The program is jointly-administered by Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) and Keystone Area Education Agency. The PAVE program is available through vocational education instructors at NICC in Peosta. PAVE courses include high school courses required for graduation. For more information contact:

PAVE Program Coordinator NICC 10250 Sundown Road Peosta, IA 52068 (319) 556-5110 or 1-800-728-PEOSTA

Special Program Coordinator Keystone AEA 1 R.R. #2, Box 19 Elkader, IA 52043 (319) 245-1480 or 1-800-632-5918

SAVE (Student Alternative Vocational Education):
Iowa Lakes Community College, Emmetsburg, IA

Iowa Lakes Community College (ILCC) in Emmetsburg, in partnership with Lakeland Area Education Agency 3, offers high school special education students a secondary vocational preparatory program entitled SAVE (Student Alternative Vocational Education). The program is designed to provide specific career skill training, allowing special education students the opportunity to enter the competitive work force, or continue with post-secondary vocational training past high school graduation. For more information contact:

SAVE Program Coordinator ILCC 3200 College Dr. Emmetsburg, IA 50536 (712) 852-5274 or 1-800-242-5108

Special Needs Service Facilitator Lakeland AEA 3 P.O. Box 38 Cylinder, IA 50528-0038 (712) 424-3720 or 1-800-242-5100

SPAN (Secondary Program at Northwest):
Northwest Community College, Sheldon, IA

The Secondary Program at NCC (SPAN) in Sheldon prepares high school students to complete their vocational objectives outlined in the Individual Education Plan (IEP). Assisted by Area Education Agency 4, SPAN participants will learn specific vocational skills, develop functional independent living skills and develop greater self confidence and self esteem through program participation and skill acquisition. For more information contact:

SPAN Program Coordinator NCC 603 W. Park St. Sheldon, IA 51201-1046 (712) 324-5061 or 1-800-352-4907

Special Program Coordinator AEA 4 1382 4th Ave., NE Sioux Center, IA 51250 (712) 722-4378 1-800-572-5073

VESS (Vocational Education for Special Students):
Iowa Central Community College, Fort Dodge, IA

The Vocational Education for Special Students (VESS) program at Iowa Central Community College (ICCC) in Fort Dodge offers vocational training that prepares secondary special education students for a specific job in the world of work. The goal of the program is to assist students in developing job-specific skills so they will have the potential of being employed. In cooperation with Arrowhead Area Education Agency, ICCC provides vocational programs that make it possible for special education students to receive skill-relevant training. For more information, contact:

VESS Program Coordinator ICCC 330 Avenue "M" Fort Dodge, IA 50501 (515) 576-7201

Special Program Coordinator Arrowhead AEA 1235 5th Ave., S. Fort Dodge, IA 50501 (515) 576-7434 or 1-800-669-2325

VITAL (Vocational Individual Training and Learning:
Kirkwood Community College, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404

The Vocational Individual Training and Learning (VITAL) program at Kirkwood Community College (KCC) in Cedar Rapids, is designed to help high school special education students successfully complete a vocational training program. The program provides individualized support for each VITAL student, including tutoring, alternative test-taking, tape-recorded textbooks, assistance with written assignments, small group instruction, and study skill instruction. For more information, contact:

VITAL Program Coordinator KCC 6302 Kirkwood Blvd., SW Cedar Rapids, IA 52404 (319) 398-5455 1-800-322-2044

Special Program Coordinator Grant Wood AEA 10 4401 6th St., SW Cedar Rapids, IA 52404 (319) 399-6810 or 1-800-332-8488

STRIVE Selected Training Received in Vocational Education:
Des Moines Area Community College, Ankeny, IA

STRIVE (Selected Training Received in Vocational Education) is a support program for secondary vocational education administered by Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) in Ankeny. STRIVE assistance is available from DMACC vocational staff, in partnership with Heartland Area Education 11, at the Ankeny Campus. STRIVE resource instructors provide tutoring and support needed for students to successfully complete the requirements of the vocational program at DMACC. For more information, contact:

STRIVE Program Coordinator DMACC 2006 S. Ankeny Blvd., Ankeny, IA 50021 (515) 964-6469 (515) 964-6469

Special Program Coordinator Heartland AEA 11 Bldg 6 6500 Corporate Dr. Johnston, IA 50131-1603 (515) 270-9030 or 1-800-362-2720

STEP Secondary Transitional Education Program:
Southeastern Community College, West Burlington, IA

The Secondary Transitional Education Program (STEP) at Southeastern Community College in West Burlington provides the opportunity for high school special education students to receive instruction for specific vocational skills in a career education setting. In cooperation with Great River Area Education Agency 16, STEP participants receive individualized aid, and are provided with tutors and other accommodations to assist them in taking regular college classes. For more information, contact:

STEP Program Coordinator SCC 1015 S. Gear Ave. West Burlington, IA 52655 (319) 752-2731, ext. 178 or 1-800-828-7322

Transition Coordinator Great River AEA 16 1200 University Burlington, IA 52601 (319) 753-6561