Audience: Students & Families
Office: Early Childhood & Student Services
Funding Source: Fee for Service
Preparation for Adult Life (PAL) is a life skills support classroom located at the Berks Career and Technology Center (BCTC), East Campus. The PAL program offers secondary students with special needs full- or part-time school-based vocational training education. The program is offered to students who are in grades 10 through 12, or who are between 15 and 21 years of age.
PAL provides job training, community experiences, and the means to achieve independent living for young adults with mental and physical disabilities. Students who may have reached their academic potential but are not ready to leave school or who may require support in an employment setting may be eligible for the program. Community-based vocational training and community-based instruction are key features of the program. The dedicated staff includes two teachers, two teacher assistants, and five job coaches.
Other services for life skills/learning support students include: part-time speech and language assistance, psychological services, transition supports, and adaptive physical education.
Students receive an assessment of their vocational interests and skills and then have the opportunity to work within the BCTC itself or in work projects provided by volunteer organizations and other local businesses.
To encourage the development of the skills and appropriate attitudes necessary for success in the workplace, students also work at job sites within the community. Students rotate among the sites to conform to their needs as well as labor and industry standards.