Career Information System for At-Risk Youth

描述(由申请者提供)：我们建议为高危青少年开发一个专门的职业指导计划。该计划的目标人群包括寄养家庭中的弱势青少年、就业服务队、离家出走和无家可归的服务机构、青少年司法系统、替代高中和有学习障碍的青少年。现有的方案不适应高危青年的学习需要或生活环境。社会服务机构和学校迫切需要在最基本的准备阶段向这些青少年提供信息、指导并让他们参与职业发展过程。拟议中的计划将提供一个有吸引力的互动视听环境，为青少年提供精致的指导支持，简化语言和概念，并使用动画“虚拟”青少年来模拟职业发展过程。该程序将是基于浏览器的，可以通过Web或CD-ROM交付。拟议方案的教学模式是基于职业信息系统，这是一种国家认可的资源。在第一阶段，我们将开发一个关于自我认识的组件。在第二阶段，我们将开发关于职业探索、教育和培训探索以及决策的组成部分。这两个阶段的产品评估都将在全国范围内与来自美国男孩和女孩俱乐部(B&GCA)的高危青少年进行。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): We propose developing a specialized career guidance program for at-risk youth. The target populations for this program include disadvantaged teens in foster care, Job Corps, runaway and homeless services, the juvenile justice system, alternative high schools, and teens with learning disabilities. Existing programs are not adapted to the learning needs or life circumstances of at-risk youth. Social service agencies and schools are in urgent need of programs that inform, guide, and engage these teens in the career development process at the most fundamental levels of preparation. The proposed program will offer an attractive and interactive audio-visual environment that gives teens exquisite guided support, simplifies language and concepts, and uses animated "virtual" teens to model the career development process. The program will be browser-based and can be delivered via the Web or CD-ROM. The instructional model for the proposed program is based on Career Information Systems, a nationally recognized resource. In Phase 1, we will develop a component on self-knowledge. In Phase II, we will develop components on occupation exploration, education and training exploration, and decision-making. Product evaluations in both phases will be conducted with at-risk youth from the Boys & Girls Clubs of America (B&GCA), nationwide.