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DOCUMENT RESUMEED 328 682TITLECE 056 750Supermarket Careers. A Partnership in Training. FinalReport.INSTITUTIONSPONS AGENCYPUB DATECONTRACTNOTEPUB TYPEEDRS PRICEDESCRIPTORSIDENTIFIERSBergen County Vocational-Technical High School,Hackensack, N.J.; Cornell Univ.,Ithaca, NY. FoodIndustry Training Div.; Wakefern Food Corp.,Elizabeth, N. SLopRite Div.Office of Vocational and Adult Education (ED),Washington, DC.Sep 90V199A90177244p.; Product of the Cooperative DemonstrationProgram (High Technology). Appendixes D and E werenot included in this ERIC document. Photographs willnot reproduce well.Reports - Descriptive (141)MF01/PC10 Plus Postage.*Cooperative Programs; Curriculum Development; *FoodStores; Institutional Cooperation; *Job Training;*Learning Disabilities; Postsecondary Education;*Program Development; *School Business Relationship;Secondary Education; Vocational EducationPartnerships in EducationABSTRACTA partnership between the Bergen CountyVocational-Technical Schools (New Jersey), the Wakefern FoodCorporation/Shoprite, and Cornell University developed andimplemented supermarket skills training programs. The programs wereheld in two vocational schools that educate mentally handicappedstudents, aged 14-21, during daytime hours and adult handicappedpersons during evening hours. Program goals were to: (1) preparelearning disabled students for career alternatives in the supermarketindustry; (2) place them in unsubsidized employment; and (3) heightenpublic and corporate awareness of the value of handicapped persons asreliable, stable employees. The project included the set-up of twoclassroom shops to simulate supermarket operations, development ofcurriculum, instruction, cooperative work experience for students,evaluation, and dissemination. Forty secondary students were trainedin vocational classes that met 5 days per week for 2.5 hours eachday. Three days per week in late afternoon, an additional 30 adulthandicapped students took the program. External evaluation of theprogram showed that it had met its goals, and the program won manylocal and national awards. (Appendices--most of the document--includea baseline management plan; curriculum guide; external evaluation;and a brochure. The curriculum guide includes objectives, contentoutline, teaching suggestions, learning activities, and transparencymasters. Topics covered are safety, communication, human relations,front end--general and cashier, produce, grocery, dairy, and frozenfoods.) (KC)

"r:.ii'.'.L'i' "V" Y'rlOrifc'Tg7.:'Willitrit.SUPERMARKET CAREERSA. Partnership In TrainingFunded byOffice of Vocational and Adult EducationU.S. Department of EducationFederal Award #V199A90177Cooperative Demonstration Program(High Technology)FINAL REPORTSeptember, 1990BEST COPY AVAILABLEU.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATIONOffice of Educational Research end ImprovementEDATIONAL RESOURCES INFOATIONRMCENTER (ERIC)his document has been reproduced asreceived from the person or organizationoriginating it0 Minor changes have been made to Improvereproduction qualityPoints of view or opinions stated in this docu.ment do not necessarily represent officialOE RI position or policyBergen County Vocational-Technical School200 Hackensack AvenueHackensack, New Jersey 07601(201) 343-60002

ADDENDUM TO THE FINAL PERFORMANCE RFPORTV199A90177Items included in Appendices D and E were not in a format that could be easilyphotocopies and, therefore, are not included as part of this copy of the finalperformance report. These items are included, however, in the copies of thefinal performance report submitted to the Northeast Curriculum CoordinationCenter for those interested in examining complete copdes of the report.Also included in the copies of the final performance report submitted to theNortheast Curriculum Coordination Center are two orpies of a video produced bythe grantee entitled "Supermarket Careers." The video is mentioned on page 5of this report. It is about 7 and one-half minutes in length.The address and telephone number of the Northeast Curriculum CoordinationCenter is:Northeast Curriculum Coordination CenterMartha Pocsi, DirectorNew Jersey Vocational Education Resource CenterCambridge Park SchoolCrest WayAberdeen, New Jersey07747(201) 390-11913

A PARTNERSHIP IN TRAINING - SUPERMARKET CAREERSThis prolect was a cooperative effort between the BergenCounty Vocational-Technical Schools (located in Hackensack,Teterboro, and Paramus, New Jersey, and serving students from theCounty of Bergen), the Wakefern Food Corporation/ShopRiteheadquartered in Elizabeth, New Jersey) and Cornell UniversitY(located in Ithaca, New York).The purpose of this cooperative effort was to develop andimplement supermarket employment skills training programs in twofull-time vocational schools that educate mentally handicappedstudents ages 14-21 during daytime hours and adult handicappedpersons during evening hours.The project included the set-up oftwo classroom shops to simulate supermarket operations,development of curriculum, instruction, cooperative workexperiew:e for students, evaluation of project effectiveness anddissemination of mrolect results.The need for this project was determined by shortfalls inthe local labor market, increase in the number of service-relatedjobs and the inability of large corporations such as the ShopRiteorannization to attract and retain a reliable, stable workforce.The target population for this program was handicappedsecondary students (ages 14-21) and handicapped acluits.tortysecondary students (20 at each site, 10 per class) were trainedduring the regular school day in vocational classes that met fivedays per week for 2 1/2 hours each day for the entire schoolSUPRMKT.GRANTSPage 14

year.In the hours from 3-6 p.m., the supermarket careersprogram was available three days per week to an additional 30handicapped students as part of the twilight skills program thatthe district operates jointly with the Job Training PartnershipAct (JTPA) which is administered by the Bergen County PrivateIndustry Council.The overall goal of this program was to prepare learningdisabled students for career alternatives in the supermarketindustry and to place these students in unsubsidized employmentpositions within the supermarket industry.Toward this end, acooperative development effort -las initiated between the BergenCounty Vocational-Technical Schools, the Wakefern FoodCorporation/ShopRite organization and Cornell University's FoodIndustry Training Division.Nine objectives are set forth tomeet the stated goal.Secondarily, this project has as its goal the heightening ofpublic And corporate awareness of the value of the handicappedperson as a reliable, stable employee.This outcome wasaddressed through publicity, presentations and dissemination ofproject materials.Obiectives:I.2.3.Establish an advisory committee comprised of individualsfrom the ShopRite Organization, Cornell University FoodIndustry Division and the Bergen County Vocational-TechnicalSchool District to validate the trainina needs for studentswho are eligible for special education services tor careeralternatives.Identify various employment opportunities available tostudents who are eligible for special education services forcareer alternatives in the supermarket industry.Establish a task force for the selection of qualifiedsupermarket career instructors.SUPRMKT.GRANTSPage 2.

4.Use the Bergen County Vocational-Technical Schools CBE planto establish a CBE format for individualized instruction inthe various supermarket departments, i.e.: dairy, produce,frozen food, front end, grocery, and meat.5.Jointly design and construct a vocational laboratory tosimulate a supermarket.6.Jointly design and develop teachen and student instructionalmaterial for special needs students, i.e.: video tapes,student workbooks, and individualized modules.7.Adapt the existing Bergen County Vocational-Technical SchoolDistrict CBE assessment procedure to validate studentcompetencies and instructional materials.8.Jointly coordinate the establishment of part-time andfull-time training sites for faculty and students.9.Develop a dissemination plan through the tree cooperatingagencies.A Baseline Management Plan was designed as a monitoring toolfor what we had accomplished, what we planned to do, and what wasplanned for the future.(Appendix A)The competency-based curriculum format was developedcooperatively by joining the experience of the vocational school,r7orne11 University, and ShopRite Food Corporation.The(7urriculum e-nnsists of a list of competencies supported through amultimedia approach which emphasized instructional strategiesthat work well with the special needs population.Students train for their future jobs in classrooms thatreplicate the actual work environment in today.s supermarkets.In addition to mastering the skills required for various foodservice industry jobs, students learned the importance ot teameffort, safety, sanitation, good communication and a positivework ethic.SUPRMKT.GRANTSPage 3

The curriculum was developed over.an 18 month period in nineareas of supermarket employment.Phase I included:Phase II included:SafetyFrozen FoodCommunicationsProduceHuman RelationsGroceryFront End - GeneralDairyFront End - CashierProaram advisory committee members from the supermarketindustry worked with the educators to validate the curriculum.As the industry experiencs changes in their procedures andoperations, the curriculum will be updated.(See Appendix B)Promram evaluation was both formative and summative.Completion of each adjective was monitored by the ProjectDirector, in consultation with the Advisory BoaLd, for timelycompletion and the quality of completion.An independent consultant was hired to offer an evaluationof the project in meetina its stated aoal and objectives.(Consultant's Report, Appendix C)It was the objective of the three organizations cooperatingto develop this project into a model that could be replicated inother commun.,ties and ,ther vocational schools throughout thecountry.The project is a public demonstration of how educationand industry worked together for the economic benerit or tnebusiness and the handicapped person.SUPRMKT.GRANTSPage 47

'"gr:Dissemination included the following:a. Publi,city:Publicity was accomplished through thepreparation of articles for trade and educational magazines,as well as local newspapers.In addition, a mailing flyerwas printed for distribution.b. Presentations:(Appendix D)Representatives from the food industry andother educational institutions in six states were invited toa one-day conference on the supermarket careers program.(Appendix E)In addition, the district presented at theAmerican Vocational Association's national convention andNew Jersey State (teachers) Convention.The Wakefern FoodCorporation presented at the Food Market Institute (FMI)National Conference.c. Video:A video was produced to provide an overview to theentire partnership.The video received the OutstandingAchievement In Video Production award from the New JerseySchool Boards Association.(video enclosed)This project was a recipient of many state and federalawards including the prestigious C Flag for industry and the U.S.Department of Education Secretary Award for OutstandingVocational-Technical Education Program.SUPRMKT.GRANTS(Appendix F)Page 5.

PARTNERSHIP MAKES A DIFFERENCESupermarket Careers demonstrated that persons can besuccessfully trained and job-placed in the supermarket industry.The project is a testimonial to the fact that trained, specialneeds persons can be reliable, stable additions to the workforce.The new venture is a model of how a partnership betweeneducationand local industry can help a traditionally underutilizedsegmentof the population gain training and employment that benefits boththe handicapped person and local industry.SUPRMKT.GRANTS9Page 6

APPENDM A10