Thirty-seven school districts across Wisconsin will receive funding through the Transition Readiness Grant Program starting this month. Based on Wisconsin’s Let’s Get to Work grant project, the program was created in order to strengthen services for students with disabilities who are transitioning from school to the workforce, or continuing their education. For students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), a defined transition plan is a key indicator in the Wisconsin State Performance Plan – a plan focused on improving the outcomes of children with disabilities.
“This program is an important step in improving and expanding services for our students with disabilities,” said State Superintendent Tony Evers. “It is particularly crucial to ensuring that every student in Wisconsin graduates high school with the necessary skills and supports to succeed in the workforce and in further education.”
In their applications, many districts requested funding for established programs that facilitate connections among students, educators, and local employers. One such program, Project SEARCH, provides a variety of internships for students with developmental disabilities during their last year of high school. Students are immersed in multiple skilled internships throughout the year while receiving support from their school, a vocational agency, and a disability services agency. Students work with mentors to craft and update career plans. Around 75% of participants are employed upon their completion of Project SEARCH.
Districts also requested funding for educators to obtain a certificate in the area of transition services, as well as tuition to colleges and technical schools, and transportation for students who will split their time between school and local business or community-involvement opportunities.
The grant program contains a set of general requirements for all funded districts. These requirements relate to the longer-term development and refinement of integrated, community-based transition processes, such as conducting surveys with former students to gather information about the effectiveness of past transition processes and organizing a community event aimed at growing connections between schools and local businesses.
Transition Readiness Grant Program Districts | |
CESA 1 Elmbrook School District Kenosha Unified School District Milwaukee Public Schools Racine Unified School District |
CESA 7 Chilton School District Green Bay Area School District Pulaski Community School District Two Rivers School District |
CESA 2 Clinton Community School District Madison Metropolitan School District Watertown Unified School District |
CESA 8 School District of Marinette |
CESA 3 Platteville School District Potosi School District River Ridge School District |
CESA 9 D. C. Everest Area School District Lakeland Area Consortium Schools Marathon School District Tomahawk School District |
CESA 4 Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau School District School District of La Crosse Royall School District |
CESA 10 Bloomer School District School District of Cadott Osseo-Fairchild School District |
CESA 5 Baraboo School District School District of Marshfield School District of Waupaca |
CESA 11 Ellsworth Community School District Hudson School District School District of River Falls |
CESA 6 Fond du Lac School District Oshkosh Area School District Ripon Area School District West Bend School District |
CESA 12 Hurley School District Washburn School District |