Clawson's PEER LINK Program Receives Excellence in Education Award

Clawson Public Schools PEER LINK Program recently received the Excellence in Education 2013 Award. The K-12 Educational Innovation Program must display special creativity, innovation, problem-solving and results. The program is a partnership between Oakland Schools and The Oakland Press.

Clawson’s PEER LINK Program is a student-to-student support system for Special Needs students in the Autism Program.  It is a comprehensive program that support students throughout their school day in various settings that may include general education classes, lunch, and extracurricular activities. 

A student with Autism is paired with a LINK student who acts as an advocate and mentor in the educational setting.  The LINK student helps broaden the opportunities for the student with Autism to socialize, communicate, and demonstrate learning.

Clawson School District provides Autism Awareness throughout the district and in a variety of ways including classroom presentations, LINK classes and groups.  “This is one reason why our LINKs are so successful in including our students with Autism.  We celebrate diversity as a district!” said Marcia Young, Director, Student Services Department Special Education.

In explaining the program, Young says, the general education PEER LINKs gain knowledge and benefit from their participation, too.  They use communication and problem-solving skills to help and, as such, become knowledgeable thinkers, life-long learners, and learn empathy, responsibility, and leadership.  Many of our PEER LINKs after being a LINK decide to pursue careers in education.  They have this experience to put on resumes for work and college and have proven to be open to diverse learning and accept responsibility. 

“What I get from this program is the opportunity to see and experience first-hand the success of our students in the Autism Program as I watch them interact with their peers at dances, social events, and in school. These opportunities have increased as a result of the PEER LINK program.  In addition, I have been impressed with our PEER LINKs letters and presentations that  show how much they care and how much they have learned about diversity,” she continued.

“I am so proud to be part of a district like Clawson. We truly do celebrate diversity in action not just in words.  I brag about our staff and our students, our LINKs and LINK Program all the time and appreciate what we have here in Clawson.,” said Young.