Practical Assessments Exploration System

The PAES Lab allows students to explore five different career areas including:

*Consumer/Service
*Business/Marketing
*Processing/Production
*Construction/Industrial
*Computer Technology

The students are in the PAES Lab (practical analysis exploration system) for 1.5 hours Monday through Thursday. It assesses work interests, work habits, and social skills needed for a job. The PAES Lab is designed to simulate the real working world to help prepare students for the transition from school to work and life. Strict work procedures are followed so students get the feel of real work, and at the same time learn and explore new career/vocational areas. Students punch a time clock and get a job folder immediately upon entering the lab. The job folder lists their specific job tasks for the day. The teachers give the least amount of assistance to the students in order to encourage independence and to accurately assess students' skills and abilities. Students are paid an hourly rate with simulated pay checks and are given bonuses for good performance and strong work behaviors. On the flip side, students can be fined for not following the rules of the lab. A school store is open twice a month, and the students can spend their paychecks on items. PAES is a research-based assessment system that identifies aptitude for community-based employment, functional skills, interests and work behavior strengths and barriers to success.