NEXT S.T.E.P.

The purpose of the NEXT S.T.E.P. curriculum is to help students to make the transition from school to adult life smoothly and successfully. With a constant focus on self-determination, the NEXT S.T.E.P. curriculum helps students learn how to take charge of their own transition planning process. Students select and implement a variety of transition goals that relate to jobs, education and training, personal life, and living on their own. The ultimate goal of this curriculum is to help students assume responsibility for important life decisions with support from teachers and parents.

 

The curriculum works with all kinds of students and has been used successfully in both special and general education settings. Although designed primarily for high school students, the curriculum has also been used effectively in some middle school and post–high school settings.

 

This second edition of NEXT S.T.E.P. contains 16 lessons with fully developed lesson plans. Several major features of this revision include a new scope and sequence for the lessons to increase student involvement, many new enrichment activities to increase student motivation and enjoyment while they are learning, and reduced "paperwork" for students as they develop their own Individualized Transition Plans. A new manual has also been developed, called Teachers Talking to Teachers. This manual contains many useful suggestions from teachers on how to use the NEXT S.T.E.P. curriculum successfully.