BEAM: Bridges in Education for Adults with Multifaceted Abilities
Building bridges from learning to independence, opportunity, and meaningful futures.
BEAM is an innovative program of Miami-Dade County Public Schools and the Office of Postsecondary Career and Technical Education (OPCTE) designed specifically for young adults with multifaceted abilities.
BEAM goes beyond the traditional classroom by creating a multifaceted learning environment in which students learn through hands-on experiences, real-life applications, technology, creativity, collaboration, and structured practice.
Programming includes:
- Functional Academics: Reading, writing, mathematics, communication, problem-solving, and executive functioning skills connected to everyday adult life.
- Life Skills: Money management, cooking, household responsibilities, personal organization, transportation, community navigation, safety, communication, and independent living.
- Technology: Computer literacy, workplace technology, artificial intelligence, virtual reality, digital citizenship, cybersecurity, coding, gaming and game development, and digital creativity.
- Art and Creative Expression: Visual arts, digital art, photography, functional art, design, collaborative projects, and entrepreneurial experiences.
- Mindfulness and Wellness: Structured opportunities to relax, transition, develop self-regulation strategies, recognize individual sensory needs, and prepare for learning.
- Career and Workplace Readiness: Career exploration, employability skills, workplace communication, job preparation, leadership, teamwork, and connections to education and training opportunities.
- Peer Leadership: Students with advanced skills have opportunities to serve as group leaders and mentors while continuing to develop their own leadership, communication, and professional abilities.