Developed at the University of Oregon School of Education, W.A.G.E.S. (Working At Gaining Employment Skills) is a curriculum to teach adolescents job-related social skills. It was field-tested over a period of five years in multiple learning environments with different teachers and student groups. The curriculum was continuously revised based on student achievement measures and satisfaction surveys, teacher assessments of student learning, and evaluation information about the effectiveness and usefulness of the curriculum collected through focus groups with students and teachers. W.A.G.E.S. contains 33 lessons, each designed to be taught within a 40- to 50-minute class period along with complementary activities suited to be delivered in a nine-week term.

Finding a job and working successfully is one of the hallmarks of being an adult in our society. After being out of high school for 2 to 4 years, unemployment among most adolescents with disabilities ranges from 30 to 40%– more than twice that of peers without disabilities. The highest unemployment rates are exhibited by adolescents with emotional disabilities, which are upwards of 50 to 60%. Adolescents who exhibit extreme antisocial behaviors display unemployment rates of 60 to 70%.

W.A.G.E.S. includes activities that complement the 33-lessons and are woven into the instructional design. Students spend a full day utilizing their school’s career center, the Internet and other resources to explore potential career options. They spend three days designing a résumé, cover letter, and letter of appreciation to complement interview activities. Students will have a chance to put their communication skills to the test through an employer mock interview. Their employment education culminates in a community-based job shadow or industry tour activity that allows students to explore a work environment within their career interest area.

Each W.A.G.E.S. lesson is designed with the following format:

  • Purpose: A brief explanation of why each lesson is being taught and the concepts to be covered.
  • Learning Outcomes: What students will be able to accomplish as a result of each lesson.
  • Review: A brief recap of the previous lesson.
  • Required Materials: The supplies and equipment necessary to effectively complete each lesson.
  • Vocabulary: Any new words or phrases that will be introduced in each lesson. Explanation of the new word or phrase should be worked into one of the lesson’s activities.
  • Description of Activity: An explanation of how to conduct activities associated with each lesson.
  • Wrap-Up/Homework: An opportunity to summarize each lesson and assign additional activities.

For course leaders, W.A.G.E.S. contains an instructor’s guide, which provides information on the content of the curriculum, the format embedded into each lesson, and strategies for implementing the curriculum with students. Information on the rationale for the content included in the curriculum, and the social skill and instructional design principles that served as the research foundation for the curriculum is also provided.

Quick Facts

This Curriculum Covers: Workplace Readiness Training

Link to Curriculum: https://www.saavsus.com/store/wages-a-job-related-social-skills-curriculum-for-adolescents#:~:text=Developed%20at%20the%20University%20of,different%20teachers%20and%20student%20groups.

Contact Info: paulberger@saavsus.com

Has Been Formally Researched: Yes

Research Summary:

Results indicated that after controlling for pretest differences on outcome variables, students participating in the intervention had greater vocational outcome expectations, greater occupational skills, and greater social skills (i.e., empathy, cooperation, and assertiveness) than did students with disabilities in the control condition following the intervention. These findings provide preliminary evidence of the effectiveness of the WAGES curriculum.

 

Murray, C., & Doren, B. (2013). The Effects of Working at Gaining Employment Skills on the Social and Vocational Skills of Adolescents With Disabilities: A School-Based Intervention. Rehabilitation Counseling Bulletin, 56(2), 96–107.

Price: $99

Payment Type: One Time Payment

Released: 1998

Accessible For: Contact curriculum publisher for more information

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