QUEST Program Course Sequence
The first year of the QUEST program helps the students transition to high school. The classroom teacher discusses the expectations of high school and its hidden curriculum. The hidden curriculum consists of the unwritten social expectations of a school that can cause students to stand out if they do not conform. In addition to academics, the following topics are addressed through CBI and in the classroom:
- Responsible habits of grooming and hygiene
- Nutrition
- Food and kitchen safety
- Managing personal health care
- Interest and abilities inventory
- Communication, personal, and social skills
- Role playing
- Social stories
- Journaling
- Body language
- Telephone, e-mailing, and texting etiquette
- Personal space
Sophomore Year:
The second year emphasizes job readiness and financial literacy through QUEST. With a strong focus on Community Based Instruction, the students will explore the community and hear guest speakers address the class on such topics as:
- Business tours
- Jobs within the school
- Consumer skills
- Credit vs. debit cards
- Budgeting
- Writing checks and ATM use
- Depositing money in a bank
- Saving vs. checking accounts
- Comparing values of products
- Unit pricing
- Coupons
- Online shopping
- Monetary exchanges
- Gratuity
Junior Year:
This third year focuses on employability. As a group, students will start job sampling through volunteering in the community. In cooperation with local organizations, the class will participate in community projects. This year’s topics include:
- Exploring careers
- Job searches
- Job preparation
- Resume and cover letter writing
- Mock interviews
- Filling out applications
- Filling out government paperwork
- Work challenges
- Role playing
- Appropriate behavior
- Problem solving skills
- Analyzing a paycheck
Senior Year:
The fourth year of QUEST focuses on individual job sampling in the community with the guidance of a job coach. The transportation to job sites will be provided by the high school. Students will attend classes part of the day and work the remainder of the school day. Students will have a class in school so that they can dicuss any concerns that arise while on the job with the SLE coordinator. Additional topics addressed this year will include:
- Community resources for people with special needs
- Recreational activities
- Job expectations
- Appropriate dress
- Social interactions in the workplace
- Talking to a superior
- Answering consumer questions
- Appropriate conversations with co-worker