Abstract
Career and life planning is extremely important for all adolescents in order to enhance transition outcomes, but to date, little attention has been paid to its role in education for students with special educational needs (SENs). There is no specific model in Hong Kong for supporting career and life planning for SEN students, nor has there been any research on the topic. As a result, their needs are easily overlooked and they have had fewer opportunities to explore and develop their vocational interests. To address this problem, a charitable organization in Hong Kong initiated in 2016 a two-year program for junior secondary students with SEN. The program aimed to develop a service model for supporting career and life planning for these students in Grades 7–9. Evaluation of the program included obtaining views from different stakeholders, including parents of the SEN students. In this chapter, we discuss findings from the evaluation study using a qualitative approach with data from parent interviews.
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Acknowledgements
The research was funded by the Community Services Division Tung Wah Group of Hospitals. We are grateful to Mr. Patrick K. W. Man, Ms. Joyce Mak, Ms. Daisy Ip, Dr. Queenie A. Y. Lee, Dr. Annie K. C. Chan, Dr. Shui-wai Wong, Dr. Peter Shea, Ms. Virginia Cheung, Ms. Ada So, Mr. Peter Westwood, and Mr. Ryder Chan for their input to the research project. The project would not have been completed without the generous support of teachers, school guidance personnel, parents, and students in the schools. Their valuable contribution to the research is greatly appreciated.
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Appendix
Appendix
Parent Interviews: Semi-structured Interview Guide
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1.
Process Evaluation:
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General Impression of the program
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What is your overall impression of the program (students’ activities and involvement and parents’ workshop)?
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Which of the topics and activities do you consider most beneficial to SEN students? Why?
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Comments on the parents’ workshop content
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What are your views on the content (topics and activities) in the workshop?
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Comments on the parents’ workshop implementation
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How have other parents responded to the parents’ workshop?
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2.
Product Evaluation:
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Evaluation of the general effectiveness of the program
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In which aspects, and to what extent, do you think the program is beneficial to the life planning of your son/daughter?
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After your son/daughter participated in the program, did he/she exhibit any changes in attitudes, skills or behaviors? If yes, please specify.
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What has your son/daughter gained from this program?
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Evaluation of the specific effectiveness of the program, the impact on your son/daughter
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In which aspects and to what extent does the program contribute to promoting your son/daughter’s self-confidence or ability in facing the future?
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How does the program improve your son/daughter’s awareness in:
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connectedness with parents, school, teachers, and peers?
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meaning and purpose in life?
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self-awareness?
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career planning, exploration, and goal setting?
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Did your son/daughter ever discuss you at home any of the topics or issues raised within the program? If yes, what were the topics/issues?
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3.
Other comments
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Do you have any other comments, good or bad, on the program?
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Chung, Y.B., Yuen, M. (2020). Views of Parents on a Career and Life Planning Program for Junior Secondary Students with Special Educational Needs: A Qualitative Study in Hong Kong. In: Yuen, M., Beamish, W., Solberg, V.S.H. (eds) Careers for Students with Special Educational Needs. Advancing Inclusive and Special Education in the Asia-Pacific. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-4443-9_11
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