career center students; preparing today's students for tomorrows careers
  • Students
  • Parents

IEPs and 504s

Vocational Resource Educators (VRE) work with individuals or small groups of students to support their success in career/technical courses. Student progress in these classes is monitored on a regular basis. VREs work cooperatively with students enrolled in these programs, to seek appropriate solutions to student concerns. The Individual Education Plan (IEP) or 504 plan outlines accommodations that may be needed for the student to succeed. The VRE works with the student to ensure accommodation in his/her technical classes. These accommodations provide the opportunity for the student to achieve all the competencies that other students will achieve in the class.

These accommodations do not usually affect the breadth or depth of the curriculum; they just reflect a difference in the input, processing, output or time needed for a student to learn the material. The following are examples of accommodations that may be outlined in the student's IEP or 504 plan:
  • Tests read aloud
  • Provide a scribe
  • Modify test formats
  • Edit written work
  • Use of spell check
  • Use of calculator
  • Pass/fail grading
  • Taped texts
  • Use of note taker
  • Use of assistive devices
  • Extended time for testing
  • Tape recording lectures
  • Use of computer for writing tasks
  • Highlight important facts in text
  • Extended time for written assignments

Vocational Resource Educators assist with the development of four-year plans through the IEP or 504 process and in individual meetings with students. This may include course recommendations, arrangement of class visits and determination of course sequence and prerequisites.


Vocational Resource Educators work cooperatively with the student, their parent(s) and Special Education Casemanager in the development of a post-secondary transition plan. This can include preparation for post-secondary education or employment options.

IEPs and 504s

The Vocational Resource Educator is the link between the student with a disability who is enrolled in a career and technical class and their individual specialist or 504 case manager. The VRE ensures that the accommodations identified in the student’s IEP or 504 plan are made available. The VRE may also be a source of information for the parents regarding the student with a disability by:

  • Attending IEP and 504 meetings
  • Serving as a resource to assist with communication between instructor, specialist, counselor and administrators
  • Problem solving particular situations in regard to vocational programs
  • Monitoring student progress in vocational classes on a regular basis (usually monthly) or at designated progress up-date times
  • Describing accommodations and how they fit into the specific vocational courses
  • Providing students with academic support relative to vocational courses

 

Our staff has expertise in:
  • reading
  • math
  • academic accommodations
  • assessment

Two staff members are located at Hickman High School and the rest of our staff is located at the Career Center. We serve students enrolled in career/technical classes offered at the Career Center, Hickman High School and Rock Bridge High School.

Students with Individual Education Plans (IEP's) or 504 plans can receive support services from a Vocational Resource Educator (VRE). These support services can take many forms, but, in all cases, the Vocational Resource Educator is attempting to meet the needs of individual students and their parents.

 

NCA logo Columbia Area Career Center | 4203 S. Providence Road | Columbia, MO 65203 | Phone 573.214.3800 | Fax 573.214.3801
Columbia Area Career Center is accredited as a postsecondary and secondary institution by NCA CASI, a division of AdvancED.
The Columbia Public School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, age, or use of leave protected by the Family and Medical Leave Act, in its programs, activities, or with regard to employment. The Columbia Board of Education is an equal opportunity employer. Inquiries regarding Columbia Public Schools' compliance with IDEA and Section 504 regulations should contact the offices or individuals below: Special Services (IDEA) Dr. Dana Clippard (Director of Special Services), Section 504 Dr. Lou Ann Tanner-Jones (Section 504 Coordinator) at 1818 West Worley, Columbia MO, 65203, (573) 214-3463.