This Bright Spot comes from students in the Yonkers Public School District where last year Kit Casey, RSE-TASC Transition Specialist, worked with Kim Longville, Global Studies teacher, and Don Solimene, Principal, as well as students to create work-based learning opportunities.

What were students able to achieve? 

⇒ Students at Riverside High School developed a club called the Riverside Entrepreneurs Club. The club  raised seed money for school-based enterprises, and students filled important roles like co-managing funds as club treasurer.  Students successfully ran a business selling plants and this year they are using money from that enterprise to open a café in school.  Last June, six students were hired for summer employment with the City of Yonkers.

What practices or systems made this possible?

⇒ Ms. Longville created a career center in her classroom and students spent several months researching careers, writing resumes and developing community connections.  She also connected with local businesses and service agencies like the Yonkers Workforce Team to solicit donations for fund raisers and learn about local employment opportunities.

 

 

What can we learn from this Bright Spot?

  • Studies of post-secondary success for students with disabilities have identified experience in an authentic work setting during high school as a research-based practice for improving education and employment outcomes.
  • Supporting students in creating and running school-based enterprises can have a lasting impact on their lives.