The E4Texas summer semester has now concluded, offering students a unique opportunity to delve into important subjects and build crucial skills. With a curriculum that’s thoughtfully designed, E4Texas is committed to fostering growth, empowerment, and community engagement. Let’s take a closer look at what the summer program had in store for our new students:
Summer is always an exciting and busy time for E4Texas. Our new cohort of nine students moved onto campus at the beginning of July and hit the ground running. Students have been exploring UT and the city of Austin. We saw the fireworks at Zilker Park, hung out on the rooftop garden at the Central Library, and celebrated the anniversary of the ADA at ADAPT Headquarters. Students have taken courses in Work Readiness, Independent Living, Healthy Relationships, Disability History, Disability in the Media, and Legislative Advocacy. Additionally, we had a graduate continue into his second year with E4, pursuing his Childcare Certification through UT Austin’s Priscilla Pond Flawn Child and Family Laboratory.
Learning Objectives
The E4Texas summer semester is built on a foundation of 3 essential learning objectives. Over the summer, E4Texas students will:
- Enhance their understanding of disability history, providing a foundation for self-advocacy skills.
- Develop their independent living skills, enabling them to lead more self-sufficient lives.
- Strengthen their ability to collaborate within teams– a skill that’s invaluable in any context, but will be especially important as students proceed through the program in pursuit of employment in their chosen career field.
A Comprehensive Approach
The summer semester comprises four key components that ensure a well-rounded educational experience:
- Core Learning Outcomes: E4Texas staff performs daily student assessments on our 5 core learning outcomes for every student: Communication, workplace professionalism, problem-solving, building connections, and professional appearance. These daily assessments offer real-time insights into students’ growth, which is crucial not just for academic progress but also for data-driven personal and professional development.
- Group Disability History Project: An introduction to disability history creates an understanding of the challenges faced and the victories achieved. This project sheds light on the legislative journey toward inclusion.
- Legislative Advocacy Testimony: Students explore self-advocacy by practicing their advocacy skills at the Texas Capitol at the end of the Summer semester. Their empowered voices contribute to shaping policies that matter to them.
- Classroom Assignments: From in-class activities and discussions to quizzes, tests, projects, and community engagement, these assignments provide an engaging curriculum.
Want to learn more about the E4Texas post-secondary program at the University of Texas-Austin? Register for our annual Open House to learn all about this employment-focused transition program! For additional information, visit our website or email our Program Outreach Coordinator at Kathleen.Hernandez@austin.UTexas.edu. Your journey towards growth and empowerment starts here!