Parkland administrators have developed a program with Lehigh Carbon Community College to provide a smoother transition for young special needs adults who are moving on to the wider community from the school environment.

At an Aug. 20 board meeting, Supervisor of Special Education Louise Fick explained special needs students walk across the stage at high school graduation at age 18 but continue public education to age 21.

Fick said staff had concerns over providing the best experiences during those three years to prepare students for their future after schooling ends.

"Our Parkland team brainstormed on what more we could do with transition students," Fick said.

The staff welcomed suggestions from parents.

Board President Jayne Bartlett, parent of a special needs child, offered support and ideas for the transitional program.

Bartlett said one of her greatest concerns is how her son will handle the adjustment to adulthood without the structure and backing of school.

Special Education Coordinator Angela Patterson reported on the issue.

"We shared our vision with parents," Patterson said. "They were excited and glad their young adults would be part of a college community."

The new endeavor, Parkland-LCCC Partnership Academy, was launched last September.

Every Friday, throughout the school term, 12 Parkland special needs young adults traveled to LCCC to engage in social, vocational and educational activities with teachers and mentors.

Parkland special education teacher Dave York reported the goal of the program is to generalize classroom skills into real life situations.

The objectives are to provide practical instruction and to foster relationships in an age-appropriate setting.

York said the college environment, which includes a bookstore, cafeteria and fitness center provides opportunities for learning practical skills.

Navigating the campus offers an additional chance to acquire the ability to find one's way in a community.

"Life skills learning it's all right there on campus," York said.

LCCC Professor of teacher education Joe Davis reports the role of the college mentors has been the key to the success of the program.

"My students gained a lot from this," Davis said. "This was a true special education experience you cannot teach in a classroom.

"They've had personal and professional growth from it."

York recognized the unique contributions of the mentors who developed personal friendships with the special needs adults.

All of the people involved in the Parkland-LCCC Partnership Academy expressed satisfaction that the first year was so meaningful.

"This was a defining moment in our careers," Director of Student Services Rob Thornburg said.

York, who worked directly with the Parkland students and the LCCC mentors, described his feelings on the program.

"This is a highlight in my career," York said.

Fick also commented on the program.

"No one anticipated how this would turn out," Fick said. "It was just phenomenal."

District Superintendent Richard Sniscak offered a final thought.

"It affirms the reason we're in education," he said.