What is the Future Ready Occupational Course of Study?
The Future-Ready Occupational Course of Study (FR-OCS) is one of two courses of study a student with a disability may complete to graduate with a high school diploma in North Carolina. The FR-OCS is an outgrowth of North Carolina’s federally funded Systems Change Transition Project. The original curriculum frameworks were approved by the North Carolina State Board of Education (SBE) in May 2000. Major revisions were made to the curriculum frameworks in 2009 and 2010 to provide closer alignment to the North Carolina Standard Course of Study and the Common Core adopted by the North Carolina SBE.
What are the major components of the Future Ready-Occupational Course of Study?
•It is intended to meet the needs of a small group of students with disabilities who need a modified curriculum that focuses on post-school employment and independent living. The vast majority of students with disabilities will complete the Future Ready Core course of study with the use of accommodations, modifications, supplemental aids and services as needed.
•It is a modified standard course of study consisting of 15 courses in English, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Occupational Preparation.
•Students are also required to complete Career Technical Education credits, Health and PE 9, and required elective credits called Occupational Preparation Labs.
•Each student must complete a required number of OCS hours. Students who entered the 9th grade prior to 2014-2015 are required to have 300 School-Based Hours, 240 Community Based Hours, and 360 Paid Employment Hours. Students who entered the ninth grade in 2014-2015 or later are required to have 150 School Based Hours, 225 Community Based Hours, and 225 Paid Employment Hours.
•Each student must complete a career portfolio documenting completion of course of study requirements.
•Each Individualized Education Program (IEP) Team, which includes parents and the student, makes recommendations as to the appropriateness of the FR-OCS for a particular student based on his/her post-school transition needs and goals. Final selection of the FR-OCS is a student and parent decision.
•It is a modified standard course of study consisting of 15 courses in English, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Occupational Preparation.
•Students are also required to complete Career Technical Education credits, Health and PE 9, and required elective credits called Occupational Preparation Labs.
•Each student must complete a required number of OCS hours. Students who entered the 9th grade prior to 2014-2015 are required to have 300 School-Based Hours, 240 Community Based Hours, and 360 Paid Employment Hours. Students who entered the ninth grade in 2014-2015 or later are required to have 150 School Based Hours, 225 Community Based Hours, and 225 Paid Employment Hours.
•Each student must complete a career portfolio documenting completion of course of study requirements.
•Each Individualized Education Program (IEP) Team, which includes parents and the student, makes recommendations as to the appropriateness of the FR-OCS for a particular student based on his/her post-school transition needs and goals. Final selection of the FR-OCS is a student and parent decision.
How does a diploma based on the Future Ready-Occupational Course of Study differ from the Future Ready Core diploma?
There is only ONE high school diploma in North Carolina. The FR-OCS is one pathway to earn that diploma. Students who graduate with a diploma through the FR-OCS are held to the same entrance requirements for colleges and military as other students. Therefore a student with a diploma based on the FR-OCS would not be prepared to pursue a degree at a four year college or university. Many FR-OCS students will have to take remediation classes before entering an Associate’s Degree program at a community college. The FR-OCS diploma may not allow graduates to pursue a career in certain branches of the United States military.