Transitional Occupation Pathways Academy
(Formerly TOP A and TOP C)

A Program for Special Needs Students Offered Through the Career & Technical Center

This foundational career and technical transition program has been designed to maximize the time students spend performing actual hands-on work in jobs, trade areas, and field locations, leading to more advanced technical program participation or an effective transition from school to work. This program serves students in Grades 9-12 who struggle with academics and motivation but who can comply with directions effectively enough to build pro-technical and employability skills in order to enhance the transition to more advanced technical training or to successfully gain entry-level employment. Skills to be developed are based on the New York State Learning Standards for Career Development and Occupational Studies.

Career & Technical areas may include:

• Landscaping
• Woodworking/Carpentry
• Retailing
• Office Skills
• Food Service
• Housekeeping
• Maintenance
• School-to-Work Transition Skills
• Community Transportation
• Access to Adult Services

Ulster BOCES programs include Integrated Academics. Throughout New York State, the demands for higher learning standards are resulting in changes to school curriculum. In order to meet the real-world expectations for employment, trade schools, and colleges, the Ulster BOCES Career & Technical Center, along with the local high schools, must reinforce higher reading and math levels. Ulster BOCES Career & Technical Center is dedicated to this commitment. All programs integrate language arts activities into the trade curriculum. Certified English, math, and science instructors work closely with career and technical instructors to create applied academic activities that increase students’ reading, writing, math, and science abilities.

These courses assist students in meeting graduation requirements.

• English 11: 1 Credit       
• Technical Mathematics: 1 Credit
• English 12: 1 Credit       
• Technical Science: 1 Credit
• Technical Health: ½ Credit         
• Government: ½ Credit

Work-Based Learning Opportunities are also available to all students enrolled at the Career & Technical Center. This component offers students varied experiences in jobs related to individual career goals. A continuum of employment preparation opportunities includes workplace investigation, shadowing, apprenticeships, internships, and diversified cooperative occupational and capstone placements. These options vary in expected prerequisite skills and length of duration, depending on the individual student’s levels and needs.

The Ulster County School-to-Work Partnership is designed to coordinate partnership activities and function as a liaison between and among local school districts, businesses, and the public sector. Activities also include coordination of the annual countywide Career Conference for students and the youth job fair conducted in collaboration with the Ulster County Office of Employment and Training.