Project A.M.E.S. (Actualization of Mainstream Experience Skills). Volume IV, 1982-83

• Main Author: Maurer, Steve, Ed
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Published: 1983
• Subjects: Adjustment (to Environment); Curriculum Development; Delivery Systems; Elementary Secondary Education; Program Development; Severe Disabilities; Teacher Workshops

A report, by Mark Sweet, entitled "Project W.I.L.--Ways to Independent Living," describes the effects of the outgrowth of teacher workshops on the design and implementation of education and related services for severely handicapped students. The staff, employed at the Central Avenue School in Burlington, Iowa and at the Summitville School in Summitville, Iowa, focused on the importance of a functional curriculum in domestic, vocational, recreation/leisure, and general community living skills. Five topics were seen as crucial to the service delivery system: (1) the learning and performance characteristics of severely handicapped students, (2) the involvment of parents and guardians, (3) the chronological age issue, (4) the inclusion of multihandicapped students, and (5) the integration of related services. Changes in programing are said to have resulted in instruction in travel training (using community transportation), use of nonsheltered businesses as vocational training sites, and involvement of nonschool environments for instructional purposes. (CL)