Student Services

Student Services Teams / Instructors

The Student Services Team/Instructors are responsible for enrolling students in the technical programs in the Careertech Skills Centers. Key objectives are: Getting the right student in the right training program; maintain slot utilization and employment upon completion of training, either by placement in a non-subsidized employment (job on the outside), or by placement in a subsidized employment (placed in an essential job with the Department of Corrections i.e. maintenance, electrical, carpentry, masonry or the Oklahoma Correctional Industries). The latter being in reference to Medium Security offenders with five (5) or more years of time remaining to be served on their incarceration.

As offenders arrive to reside with the Department of Corrections, the Student Services Team attends new arrival reviews held by the Unit Classification Committees. This review determines the initial needs of the offender and allows student services to establish whether or not a new arrival has a need and is eligible to attend a technical program. The team then individually interviews the prospective student and assesses whether or not that Careertech Skills Center has the technical program that the prospective student really needs and wishes to take.

The Student Services Team networks with other Teams/Instructors in the Skills Centers as well as the Initial Assessment at Lexington Assessment and Reception Center to ensure that students are at the proper site to fulfill the needs of the student. If a prospective student residing with the Department of Corrections is eligible for and wishes to take a technical program that may be at another institution, the student services team then aids in the movement process to get the student moved to the proper facility. Slot utilization and student selection are important to ensure that as many offenders as possible are being served and the training is effective for employment placement, this is a major contributor to less recidivism.

Once the determination is made that a student is to attend a technical program, an enrollment application form and Life Skills Plan are completed by the student services team and the student is either immediately enrolled in a program or put on a waiting list for the next possible opening. Since students are completing weekly, enrollment occurs weekly. Once a student is successfully enrolled in a program, the Instructor/Student Services Team keeps track of the students' progress and time requirements throughout the course, based on the Life Skills Plan. The Student Services Team plays a vital role in maintaining the integrity and validity of the student records system, by monitoring all information and by assistance with employment for the graduating students.

Ongoing Assessment

The application and Life Skills Plan contains all of the necessary information as to the student's course of action throughout the program as well as notations of post-completion activities such as GED, Substance Abuse Education, or any other program that has been indicated as required for completion during offender's incarceration.

Each potential student is given a Career Assessment Profile survey to aid in proper program placement. The results of these assessment instruments are maintained by the Student Services Team and each student is given the opportunity to view the results and make decisions of program choice based on the information provided by the surveys.

Discipline

The student services team is the first level of counseling in regards to discipline after the instructor. The Team may place students on probation or make recommendations to the Behavior Committee for suspension or termination. Lack of academic progress as determined by monthly evaluations can be a cause for probation or suspension. If a student is terminated from the vocational program, the Student Services Team is responsible for getting information to the Department of Corrections andfiling the proper paperwork to insure that he or she will be given an assignment by DOC.

Orientation

The Student Services Team, when possible takes new arrivals to the facilities on a tour of the technical programs (and Academies) on a scheduled basis. The program content and prerequisites necessary for success in each area are explained to them. In the first week of a student's enrollment in a program, the Instructors explain the CareerTech Skills Center Policies and Procedures Handbook in detail.

Guidance

The Student Services Teams are available to students for individual guidance and counseling.