Transition Learning Center

Program Model

The Transition Learning Center (TLC) is a program designed for students who have completed the high school program, but need further training in skills related to independent living. Students are determined eligible for this program through the IEP process. The program is designed to offer students opportunities to practice and perform a variety of skills including job/business skills, communication skills, living skills, and the planning and participation in leisure-time activities. The Transition Program usually requires a few years to complete. To provide students with a variety of job-related experiences, they work at a number of jobs throughout the school and community, usually beginning the second year in the program.

Plan Weekly Trip

Students and staff plan a trip within the Snoqualmie Valley or within King County. The students make decisions, plan the route, read a bus schedule to plan the time of departure, and determine the cost of the trip. Students learn skills involved with ordering and eating food at a restaurant. Students are trained to utilize the Metro Bus system, when determined appropriate through the IEP process.

Structured Academic

This time is used for individual help in a student's academic needs area, as determined by the IEP. It can involve help in any of the following areas:

Telling time, practical reading (newspaper, want ads), budgeting, writing checks, paying bills, making change, writing messages or other needed training (as determined by the IEP). Job-related social skills are incorporated into academic instruction.

CDS

A communications disorder specialist holds small group sessions, including taking phone messages, writing directions, following directions and other business-related communication skills.

OT: Leisure Time

An occupational therapist works with the students on developing skills and interests in leisure time skills. Activities might include different team sports, swimming, bowling or gardening.

Office Training

Students are trained in alphabetizing, filing, mailing, writing business and personal letters, addressing envelopes, and other job-related skills. Office machine training includes:

Fax Machine: sending and receiving, troubleshooting
Copier: single-sided, double-sided, collated, stapled, troubleshooting
Paper shredder: shredding and troubleshooting
Adding Machine: adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing; changing ribbon
Typewriter: typing letters, setting tabs, typing labels, changing tape
Using a multi-line phone: Placing calls on hold, transferring calls

Computer Training

MS Word (Producing cards, documents, tables, changing and manipulating data)
Internet (How to access specific information for job and personal use)
Basic keyboarding skills
Saving and Printing
Installing new software
Excel (producing simple tables, manipulating existing tables)
E-Mail (sending and receiving data)

Cooking and Menu Planning

Students are involved in numerous activities that include but are not limited to: gathering recipes, creating a personal cookbook; gathering and using coupons, completing an inventory of goods available at the TLC prior to shopping, preparing shopping lists, estimating costs, discussing nutritional needs, reading and following recipe directions, practicing halving and doubling recipes, and using good safety procedures. Students plan weekly menus, and also entertain guests throughout the school year, which incorporates skills such as menu planning, shopping, budgeting, cooking, cleaning, and hosting.

Practical Arts

Students are involved in a variety of arts and crafts, chosen by the students. Students learn a variety of practical skills, including sewing.

Jobs

Students are trained to work at a number of job sites that exist within the high school and throughout the community. These jobs include but are not limited to: answering multi-line phones, sorting and delivering mail, running copies for teachers, sending and receiving faxes and data input in computers. As students become more independent, these jobs might become more permanent with the possibility of students working at other sites throughout the district and within the community