Affiliations: Grant Wood Area Education Agency, Cedar Rapids, IA
52404, USA | Goodwill Industries of Southeast Iowa, IA, USA | The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
Note: [] Grant Wood Area Education Agency, 4401 Sixth Street SW, Cedar
Rapids, IA 52404-4499, USA. Tel.: +1 319 399 6442; Fax: +1 319 399 6457;
E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract: Postsecondary education and employment outcomes for students with
mild disabilities are disappointing. This article describes an innovative
approach to preparing high school students with mild disabilities for
challenging careers in high tech industries, called High School High Tech
(HSHT). Following a brief overview of the HSHT model and Iowa's program, the
authors offer a seven-step process for establishing effective transition
efforts. The article concludes with a description of the results of Iowa's HSHT
program over the past three years, and recommendations for program enhancements
based on Iowa's findings. The information presented here is intended to assist
education and rehabilitation professionals in helping students make informed,
high tech career choices and enter postsecondary education programs that
further prepare them for challenging, financially rewarding high tech
careers.
Keywords: transition to postsecondary education, career education
