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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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,

5. 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.”

6. “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.”

7. 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

8. 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

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

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

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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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