skip navigational linksDOL Seal - Link to DOL Home Page
Photos representing the workforce - Digital Imagery© copyright 2001 PhotoDisc, Inc.
www.dol.gov/odep
September 23, 2008    DOL Home > ODEP > Talent for a Winning Team   

Workers with Disabilities: Talent for a Winning Team - September 2008

Morgan J – Success through an Individual Learning Program

Image of Morgan J sitting in front of a school library computer workstationUncertain of her career interests and higher education goals, Morgan J. began exploring possible career options as early as 8th grade and while attending Anacoco High School in Anacoco, Louisiana. It was during this time that she began to work with her teacher to develop an Individual Learning Program (ILP), which provided her with comprehensive career planning and work-based learning opportunities.

Anacoco High School is a part of ODEP’s ILP research initiative currently being conducted by the National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth (NCWD/Y) and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The purpose of the research is to examine the policies and practices related to ILPs and the impact they have on all students, including those with disabilities. Currently, more than 20 states require that all students have an ILP to address the gaps in which employers have identified between traditional academic preparation and the requirements needed to compete in today’s changing global economy. In addition to coursework, these plans emphasize career exploration in high-demanding career sectors and also provide real life, out-of-classroom, work-based learning to assist youth in building work-related skills.

In the fall of 2009, Morgan will have achieved another goal in her pursuit of higher education when she enrolls as a freshman at Northwestern State University where she plans to major in Elementary Education.

When asked about her reflections on the ILP program and its contribution to her life, Morgan responded, “I knew that I wanted a job that would benefit people around me. I knew I wanted to go to college but I was not quite sure of a major. In developing and updating my five year educational career plan...I was able to decide to major in education and become a teacher. This decision has been a process that began in the eighth grade.”

Profile for October 1, 2007 Profile for October 2, 2007 Profile for October 3, 2007 Profile for October 4, 2007 Profile for October 5, 2007 Profile for October 8, 2007 Profile for October 9, 2007 Profile for October 10, 2007 Profile for October 11, 2007 Profile for October 12, 2007 Profile for October 15, 2007 Profile for October 16, 2007 Profile for October 17, 2007 Profile for October 18, 2007 Profile for October 19, 2007 Profile for October 22, 2007 Profile for October 23, 2007 Profile for October 24, 2007 Profile for October 25, 2007 Profile for October 26, 2007 Profile for October 29, 2007 Profile for October 30, 2007 Profile for October 31, 2007



Phone Numbers