Providing Education and Training for At Risk ... - Victoria University

4Program ModelsAnumber of the 19 programs selected for Stage 2 interviews have potential for widerapplication as education and training programs for “at risk” and unemployed youngpeople. Fourteen of these are outlined here for the purpose of this reportThe following examples have been selected because they cover the field of school on-site andoff-site, TAFE and community based, and involve both rural and urban locations. They arealso consistent with the benchmarks established in the review of literature, represent modelswith potential for replication, and, perhaps most importantly, appear to work effectively withthe target groups that are the focus of this project.School-based – on and offsiteBox Hill Senior Secondary College: Extended VCE ProgramThe Extended VCE Program targets exit Year 9 students who are at risk of dropping out ofschool. The Program originated because of a small but significant group of students who weredrifting in the Curriculum and Standards Framework (7-10) Curriculum. These students showedlittle interest in studies in languages, history and geography and, if their literacy levels werelow, also had difficulty in achieving success in them. However they were interested in studieswith a practical focus such as technology. Surveys of students and parents from surroundingschool communities reinforced the view that there were sufficient numbers of these studentsto warrant establishing an alternative curriculum. The Senior Secondary College was a logicalsetting as it had the specialist curriculum infrastructure and staff to deliver the Program.The Program is slotted into the College’s normal VCE/VET program. However, these studentsare timetabled as a discreet group for a significant part of their studies to build groupcohesiveness. Their studies include eight periods of technology, plus English, maths andinformation technology. They also undertake a work placement.The Program is advertised through local press and students are selected into the program byinterview. The purpose of the interview is to select students appropriate for the Program (ie.genuine interest, at risk of dropping out of school, demonstrated maturity, no severe behaviouralproblems); counsel them about whether the Program is appropriate for them; and to explainexpectations to students and their parents. The interview process is important, not only forselection, but because students place more value on gaining entry to the Program.36