Basic Skills Certificate - A

The Basic Skills Certificate - A (BSCA) Program supports Level One students in an individualized course of study to achieve their educational and personal development goals. This program is for students who wish to develop academic and independent living skills. Program content includes courses which focus on basic literacy and math skills, interpersonal and self-management skills, creativity and self-expression, workplace awareness, and skills for increasing independence. The program will be offered full-time or part-time in order to accommodate the needs of students for whom part-time participation is most appropriate. Students will be supported by ASE instructors to develop an Individual Learning Plan that will take two to four years to complete. Students will have a maximum of four years to complete the program (under special circumstances the department will give permission for this maximum to increase).

Admission Requirements

Age Requirement: Applicants must be at least 19 years of age, or be at least 18 years of age and have been out of the public school system for at least 12 months, or have a school leaving certificate. Any applicant not meeting the age requirements must be recommended for admission by a secondary school principal or counsellor and be interviewed by the ASE instructor at the campus which the applicant wishes to attend. The recommendation and interview information will be referred to the ASE underage committee. The applicant will be admitted only if recommended by the committee and space is available. In cases of underage admission, continued registration and attendance is dependent on the achievement of specific educational and behavioural standards outlined in an individual performance contract.

General Requirements: Students must participate in an intake interview with the instructor. The instructor will determine eligibility based on the following criteria. All students must:

• Complete a level one reading assessment demonstrating recognition of the alphabet, a sight vocabulary of at least 25 words, and the ability to read pre-primer material at the level of instruction according to the Silvaroli Classroom Reading Inventory or demonstrate mature listening capacity and ability to communicate ideas by listening to a level 2 story from the Silvaroli Classroom Reading Inventory and responding to comprehension questions at the level of instruction.

• Have the ability to learn and participate in a group setting

• Be emotionally stable - have no behavioural or emotional problems that would significantly interfere with the learning or safety of self or others.

• Have a commitment to learning

• Have an identified cognitive disability

Evidence of the above requirements must include at least two of the following (students must provide documentation at their own effort and expense):

• Psycho-educational assessment

• Records of previous participation in special or supported programs in a public institution or school

• Documentation of disability from a physician or medical specialist

• Referral from Community Living B.C.

• Recommendation from an instructor in AACP, another college, or high school

• Referral from a community agency

Prior Learning Assessment: Students who are accepted into the BSCA Program in 2008, will have prior OC ASE course work from September 2005 through June 2008 credited toward their program.

Special Circumstances: Students who lack appropriate documentation may be admitted conditionally on the recommendation of the instructor with the approval of the department chair. In cases of conditional admission, continued registration and attendance is dependent on the achievement of specific educational and behavioural standards outlined in an individual performance contract. A student who is non-verbal or multi-disabled and requires special accommodations can only be accepted into the program when those specific accommodation needs have been addressed and met. The student may be required to attend with a qualified support person who will be required to participate in a learning contract. Students who have attended Okanagan College ASE courses between September 2005 and June 2008 will be given admission priority in order to complete their program.

Program Outline

Students will be supported by ASE instructors and their parents/caregivers to develop an Individual Learning Plan containing six core courses and six courses selected to meet individual interests and needs. Courses within the BSCA Program are not in a required sequence. Courses will be offered in a variety of combinations at each centre. Students will be able to enter at any point and will graduate when they have completed the required combination of courses. ASE courses are skills-based and are adjusted to meet individual student need. Course work begins at each student's level of competency. Skills aimed at and achieved will vary according to the needs, goals, and abilities of the students. To continue skills development, and to complete the BSCA program, students are required to take core courses more than once. Each course of study will take two to four years to complete unless there are special circumstances and approval of the department to extend the program time. Students may attend full-time (three courses per semester) or part-time. On approval from the department, students may add one additional course per semester. Individual, stand-alone courses will still be available.

Special Circumstances: Under special circumstances students will be allowed to take longer than four years to complete their program. Circumstances may include:

• Lengthy illness - supported by medical documentation

• Disability-related barriers (mobility/strength/ability to sustain work focus) which necessitate a slower pace

• Lack of necessary disability-related support (Individualized Support Worker and/or equipment) which causes a break in attendance.

• Lack of available courses at the centre

BSCA students must complete:

• Two courses of any combination of LSIN 009 Visual and Verbal Literacy for the Real World and LSIN 010 Basic Academic I: Literacy

• Two courses of LSIN 010A Basic Academic I: Math

• One course of LSIN 020 Human Relations

• One course of LSIN 017 Workplace Awareness I: Literacy

Graduation Requirements

Completion of six core courses and six courses selected in consultation with the student to form an Individualized Learning Plan. Courses must be completed within a maximum of four years unless there are special circumstances and approval of the department. Students must achieve a minimum passing grade of 50% in each course with an overall average of 70%.