Challenging Our Students To Achieve (C.O.S.T.A)
An Overview
C.O.S.T.A. encourages and supports the participation of young people with cognitive disabilities in the Award Program. The aim of this initiative has been to encourage participation of Criteria C students in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Criteria C students have been tested and identified by the Department of Education as being cognitively delayed (delays are from moderate to severe) in several areas, including academics, communication, decision-making, functional skills, non-scheduled time usage, self-concept/self-esteem, sexuality and social skills. In Newfoundland these students are following a Life Skills Program in school. The motto, education towards independence best sums up the aim of the Life Skills Program. The student will leave the program more self-reliant with regard to taking care of their personal needs and surroundings. They will be better equipped to make a successful transition to the work force or other structured community setting.

COSTA began in September of 1997 as a pilot project at Gonzaga High School. Since that time it has grown to include thirteen high schools in the Eastern School District. COSTA is run through a program of activities organized by teaching staff (teachers act as leaders) and carried out by the students. In essence, the teachers incorporate The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award into their class activities. NOTE: students in the Life Skills program do not receive school credits. The teachers build on what these young men and women are doing as part of the life skills program so that at the end of each school year the activities they have done from September to June can be used a credit for a corresponding Award. (Bronze and Silver - as Gold requires min.12 months it carries over into a second school year). Examples of what students are doing for each section:

Skill: cooking, communication (for some basic reading, for others it may be basic printing), music appreciation through music therapy, arts and crafts, woodworking, tole painting etc.

Fitness: swimming, walking, bowling, gymnasium time, aerobics etc.

Service: school recycling program, delivering absentee forms to office, helping with various activities around school like setting up chairs, group/class clean up projects, visiting seniors etc.

Expedition: Only section with major modification. Most of these youth also have major physical conditions that prevent them from hiking vast distances or have a personal issue that makes actual tenting problematic. Also, some of these young people have never spent a night away from their parents. Obviously, the challenges are different in this section as compared to that of the average participant. However, they still do the very basics in preliminary training. It is conducted at their cognitive level. They are still expected to do the minimum times: IE: one night/two days away from home and they are expected to take part in as many aspects of the planning and prep. as well as immerse themselves in all activities on the actual trip. The locations however are usually cottages or cabins.
It is important to keep in mind that the requirements are being modified according to the needs and personal characteristics of each student and this is best done by the teachers as they are aware of each student’s abilities.

Because The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Program compliments what the teachers are doing in the Life Skills Program, all students who register in September complete their Bronze or Silver Awards by June. The teacher/leader support is day to day and all activities that were being done anyway are now being expanded upon, documented and used for “Duke Credit.” At the end of the school year these young people now have something tangible to show for their efforts. They may not have a report card but they have their journals, record books, their pins and certificates and many wonderful memories!

1998 - 13 Bronze,
1999 - 25 Bronze & 9 Silver,
2000 – 10 Bronze & 15 Silver,
2001 – 12 Bronze & 10 Silver & 9 Gold,
2002 – 36 Bronze & 13 Silver,
2003 -18 Bronze & 21 Silver.
2004 – 28 Bronze & 15 Silver

Total Awards achieved thus far under COSTA:

142 Bronze
83 Silver
9 Gold