Occupational Course of Study

The Occupational Course of Study is one of four courses of study a student with disabilities may complete to graduate with a high school diploma in North Carolina. The Occupational Course of Study is an outgrowth of North Carolina’s federally funded Systems Change Transition Project. The Occupational Course of Study was approved in concept with final approval of the curriculum frameworks in May 2000. The following is a description of the Occupational Course of Study.  

 

 The Occupational Course of Study is intended to meet the needs of a small group of students with disabilities who need a greatly modified curriculum that focuses on post-school employment and independent living. The vast majority of students with disabilities will complete one of the other three courses of study with the use of accommodations, modifications, supplemental aids and services as needed. The Occupational Course of Study is a modified standard course of study consisting of fifteen new courses in English, mathematics, science, occupational preparation and social studies. One of the social studies courses is designed to promote self- determination and problem solving.                                           

·        Students are also required to complete career/technical education credits, healthful living and electives, as needed to complete local graduation requirements. 

·        Each student must complete 300 hours of school-based vocational training, 240 hours of community-based vocational training and 360 hours of paid employment. 

·        Each student must complete a career portfolio documenting completion of course of study requirements. The career portfolio is in place of the exit exam requirement. 

·        The IEP Team, which includes parents and the student, makes recommendations as to the appropriateness of the Occupational Course of Study for a particular student based on his/her post-school transition needs and goals. Final selection of the Occupational Course of Study is by student and parent choice. 

·        Students are not required to pass an exit exam or the computer skills test. However, each student must have specified in their IEP the computer or technology skills to be mastered.

Link to OCS Curriculun

OCS placement

OCS parent/student understanding