JOB-RELATED SOCIAL SKILLS INSTRUCTION THE WAGES CURRICULUM Presented by Michael Johnson to YTP Statewide Conference Hood River Best Western Inn February 19, 2015

Skills Employers Want % of Employers Looking for These Skills Employers want honest, dependable and productive workers 99% Work Ethic Most jobs require oral and written Communication in English 96% English Language 94% Interpersonal Businesses and their employees thrive when people work well together. Employers want workers who can understand and find answers to problems 94% Problem Solving/Critical Thinking 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 Information furnished by State of Oregon Employment Division

2014 Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act 15% of Department of Human Services Funding supports transition age youths To Provide Pre-Employment Transition Services Job Exploration Counseling Work-based Learning Experiences Post Secondary Education and Training Counseling Social Skills Training for Employment and Independent Living Instruction in Self Advocacy

Evidence-Based? “The study was designed to evaluate the effects of the WAGES curriculum on the pre-employment and social skills of adolescents with disabilities. Findings are promising and suggest that exposure to the curriculum can improve students’ vocational and social skills.” Murray, C.J. and Doren, B. Rehabilitation Counseling Bulletin Aug 15, 2012 http://rcb.sagepub.com/content/56/2/96

WHAT STUDENTS SAY -- “I never thought there would be a class like this in high school – that you could actually use. I haven’t been in the principal’s office in two months.” “I love this class – it has been the most impactive class – I don’t get mad at teachers and I learned how to listen and not react.”

“I liked the connection with horticulture “I liked the connection with horticulture. Teamwork and communication skills have helped a lot.” “The class taught me self-control and responsibility.”

W.A.G.E.S. Guiding Principals Address real life social interactions Authentic assessment of SS Appropriate for all students Key elements of effective instruction Address career-related learning

W.A.G.E.S. FOUNDATION SKILLS LOCUS OF CONTROL TEAMWORK COMMUNICATION Mike J takes over: After viewing another portion of STRIVE; might even want to use their list of generated qualities to place within these domains. COMMUNICATION PROBLEM-SOLVING

W.A.G.E.S. ATTITUDES ENTHUSIASM DEPENDABILITY HONESTY

Lesson Format Statement of Learning Outcomes Review Description of Required Materials Vocabulary Description of the Activity Wrap-up/Homework

Let’s try some lessons… W.A.G.E.S. Let’s try some lessons…

Making WAGES Contest Each team has 2 minutes to solve problems Each team member must solve a problem First four questions are from each category Can only ask for help from teammates First round with 100 or 200 point problems

Locus of Control Game This game will be played at each table Teams of 2-3 members Read the statement Define whether “owning” or “moaning” (1 pt) Provide the opposite example (2 pts) Role play (3 pts) Prior to playing game do the worksheet First model this game with two volunteers Have tables create five new scenarios Call on volunteers to model their new creations

Lesson #25 Guidelines This activity is done at each table Volunteer reads scenario Define dependability in this scenario Discuss and record RADD elements Report to large group Model this problem before assigning the activity