Kearney High School

KSD Special Services Department

In-District Work-Based Learning

Students earn credits to learn both work skills and behaviors. Opportunities are available in the district for work experience in child care, custodial, food service and transportation. A job coach works with these students, providing training, instruction and daily evaluation.

Community Volunteer Work Experience

Students go out in the community two times each month to help a business or agency while learning important work skills and behaviors. Opportunities have been provided at a local thrift store and a food pantry. Students go as a group and are supervised by our special education staff.

Vocational Rehabilitation/KHS Work Cooperative Program

Students earn credits while working part-time at a paid job in the community. Usually, one to two periods during the day are provided for students to work.

Community Work-Based Learning

Students are placed at a business in the community for a non-paid experience to learn both work skills and behaviors.  Students earn credits for participation.  Opportunities have been provided at Price Chopper and  Long’s Veterinary Services. A job coach works with these students, providing instruction, training and daily evaluation.

Pre-Employment Summer Work Experience Program

Students are hired during the summer to work at the high school in custodial services to learn work skills, behaviors and gain valuable experiences. Students work 20 hours a week at minimum wage for six weeks. Included in the 20 hours is four hours of classroom instruction each week in work preparation, behaviors and soft skills. A job coach is hired from our special education program to work with these students. Funding is provided through a grant from Vocational Rehabilitation. The program is managed by Ability KC.

Pre-Employment Transition Services

University of Missouri, Education Department; A staff member comes to our school twice a month to work with students on pre-employment and career preparation activities.

Vocational Rehabilitation Services

A counselor comes to the school each month to work with students on employment services or for education and training opportunities.

Life Skills Summer Career Exploration/Work Experience Program

A one-week program that provides students with both paid work experience and classroom instruction in career preparation/exploration. Students work at the Excelsior Springs Good Samaritan Center Food Pantry. Two staff members from KHS special education instruct the program. It is co-sponsored by Ability KC and MU Department of Education.