1. New York State Commencement Credentials
Career Development and Occupational Studies
(CDOS)
Skills and Achievement Commencement Credential
(Skills Credential)
Mrs. Patricia Kolodnicki
Special Education Teacher, Salk Middle School
Transition Facilitator

2. Page 3: What is this credential?
The New York State Learning Standards for Career Development and Occupational Studies (CDOS) were developed in 1995 by a curriculum and assessment committee compromised of K- post secondary educators, school administrators, community and business representatives, and parents.
Build on the importance of:
Career planning
Integrated/applied learning
Basic life and work skills to all students

3. Who?
Student who currently have an IEP can earn a CDOS or Skills credential starting June 2015.
No IEP diplomas will be issued after June 2014.
Skills credentials will be earned by students who are alternately assessed.

4. Key Information
A CDOS or Skills Credential is a graduation document earned by students who have an IEP.
A CDOS can be earned in conjunction with a Regents diploma or as a stand alone commencement credential.

5. Components: 1. Instruction in the CDOS Learning Standards
2. Student participation in community and work-based learning experiences
3. Student engagement in career planning and
preparation

6. Page 4: Requirements for CDOS:
Option 1
Complete a Career Plan
Demonstrate achievement of the commencement level CDOS learning standards
Successfully completes 216 hours of participation in
CTE coursework and/or work-based learning experiences
at least 54 hours must be in work-based learning experiences
Has a completed Employability Profile
Option 2
Meets the requirements for one of the nationally recognized work readiness credentials, including but not limited to:
National Work Readiness Credential;
National Career Readiness Certificate-(ACT) WorkKeys;
SkillsUSA Work Force Ready Employability Assessment; and
Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment Systems Workforce Skills Certification System

7. Page 5: Component 1: Coursework
Students must complete 216 hours 2 credits of Career and Technical Education course (CTE)
This MUST be taught by a CTE teacher
Some courses include: Robotics, Computer Programming, Child Development, and Personal Money Management, among others.

8. Page 8: Component 1: CDOS Learning Standards
1. Career Development:
knowledgeable about the world of work,
explore career options, and
relate personal skills, abilities and aptitudes to future career decisions
2. Integrated Learning:
academic knowledge and skills applied in the workplace and other settings
3a. Universal Foundation Skills:
foundation skills and competencies essential for success in the workplace
3b. Career Majors:
career specific technical knowledge/skills

9. Page 6: Component 2: Work-Based Learning
Job Shadowing
Student observation only
Non-paid, on-site, career exploration experiences
Community Service/ Volunteering
Increases community awareness and involvement
Does not directly connect to knowledge and technical skills learned in the classroom
Senior Project
Students research a topic or career interest in a specific career pathway
School Based Enterprise
Exists within a school to provide services for students and/or staff
Examples are a school store or a credit union

10. Page 26: Employability Profile:
Documents attainment of commencement level CDOS learning standards and as appropriate:
Attainment of technical knowledge and work-related skills;
Work experiences;
Other work-related and academic achievements; and
Performance on industry-based assessments
*Note: At least one profile must be completed within one year of exit.

11. Demonstrates attainment of performance skills such as: attendance, punctuality, taking initiative, response to supervision, communication skills, and health and safety.

12. Component 3: Career Planning
A complete assessment, exploration, and organizational tool for students.
1) Students complete assessments to determine personal strengths.
2) Students explore NYS careers in real-time
3) Students track their personal goals, progress, resume, reference list, and career plan.

13. Page 17: Career Plan

18. Page 34: IEP Writing Guide
Drop downs and language have changed with the implementation of CDOS and the Skills credential.
NYS explains that work-based learning should be detailed on the IEP, but not a specific location, only the type of job. Ex: retail
Goals should be created with the drive that students can and will be in the work force and need to be ready!

19. Resources and Links
NYS CDOS Memo & Documents (Career plan, Employability profile) NYS CDOS Questions and Answers