Career Education

CAREER EDUCATION is a developmental program which includes career and self-awareness, career exploration, career planning and preparation, job search and survival skills, and work experiences. All students, alumni, and district residents are encouraged to utilize the Monroe-Woodbury Career Resource Center. Some of the services of Career Education include:

• Individual Career Counseling
• Informal and Formal Vocational Assessments
• Resume and Interview Preparation
• Computerized Career and Educational Information
• Career Day Programs
• Visitations to colleges, trade and technical schools
• Employment posting for part-time jobs
• Provides internships, apprenticeships, and volunteer experiences
• Conducts Seminars and Workshops
• Supportive Employment Program for Special Needs
• Work Experience Credit
• Field Trips
• Shadowing opportunities
• Job Fairs

The Monroe-Woodbury Career Resource Center works in conjunction with the Monroe-Woodbury Guidance Department.

WORK EXPERIENCE

• 1/2-1 Credit for Work Experience

• 1/2-1 Credit for Intern Experience

Juniors and seniors may receive credit according to the number of work hours completed. Students are expected to meet regularly with the Career Education Coordinator to submit their assignments and a written report for the week. Credit may be granted for acceptable paid employment, participation as an intern in a training program or as a school/community volunteer. One credit is awarded for 300 hours of work and one-half credit for 150 hours of work documented during the school year.

College Credit

College credit, through S.U.N.Y. Orange or The University at Albany, is available to students by satisfactorily completing selected advanced Monroe-Woodbury courses. At present, the "University in the High School" program provides students the opportunity to earn college credits in Italian IV and V, Spanish IV and V, French IV and V, Latin IV and V, Physics, Calculus, English, and Biology. Additional opportunities continue to be reviewed. A reasonable course fee is the responsibility of the student.

Although grades of "C" (M-W equivalent of a 70%) are generally transferable throughout the S.U.N.Y. system, as well as to many other colleges, students are urged to check the credit transfer policy of the college of their choice.

Expand (Gifted & Talented Program)

Debra Garling, District Coordinator
Stacy Rhubin

The ultimate goal of the EXceptional Pupils Adding New Dimensions (EXPAND) program at the High School is to identify and nurture students' exceptional performance in one or more talent areas. This multi-age (9-12th grade), interdisciplinary course offering addresses some of the cognitive and affective needs particular to individuals identified as gifted or talented in one or more federally defined talent domains (e.g., academic, arts - visual and performing, creative, intellectual, leadership, or psychomotor/kinesthetic). Identification occurs annually. Interested students need to contact the High School EXPAND Building Coordinator or their guidance counselor for further information regarding prerequisites.

There are two prongs to the program - an after-school group seminar and individual educational plans for specializing in an area of interest to the student. Seminar topics and group activities are determined by program faculty. Broad-based issues such as models of leadership or topics that focus on developing expertise in all talent areas (such as habits of mind or tools of thought) are designed to highlight commonalities among students involved in various domains. Students contract for course credit each year within a range of .25 to 1.00 credit per year. High School faculty take on the role of a facilitator for the student-centered investigations. One period per cycle is dedicated for the academic year to meet with the facilitator to develop, implement, and evaluate the progress toward personal goals in developing an area of expertise or adding to a body of knowledge through problem defining or finding skills. The facilitator assists in the student-developed action plan by guiding necessary cognitive and affective development, cultivating resourcefulness (from phone inquiries to choosing a mentor), and demonstrating enthusiasm and encouragement.

Guidance

The professional school counselor is a certified/licensed educator trained in school counseling with unique qualifications and skills to address all students' academic, personal/social and career development needs. These counselors implement a comprehensive school counseling program that promotes and enhances student achievement. Their work is differentiated by attention to developmental stages of student growth, including the needs, tasks and student interests related to those stages. In addition, school counselors promote equity and access to opportunities and rigorous educational experiences for all students and support a safe learning environment. Collaborating with other stakeholders to promote student achievement, school counselors address the needs of all students through prevention and intervention programs that are a part of a comprehensive school counseling program.