Transition planning in Texas legally starts before a student’s 14th birthday, but it is never too early to work on transition planning. Participating in career and technical education courses (CTE), completing transition assessments and participating job internships are important for student growth and understanding the workforce.
Middle School
High School
- AISD Career and technical education (CTE) opportunities
- Career clusters courses in AISD high schools
- Vocational Adjustment courses for students in special education in AISD high schools:
- General Employability Skills
- Student to Industry Connection
- Work based learning in AISD high schools
- AISD Supported Employment (SE) - Supported Employment is a process designed to help students with disabilities obtain competitive, paid employment by working with an AISD job coach. Contact Transition Specialist for more information.
Summer Employment Opportunities
- Summer Earn and Learn (SEAL)—Program provides students with disabilities, ages 16–22, with work readiness training and paid work experience. SEAL is a statewide strategy that includes employability skills training and paid work experience for students with disabilities.Contact Transition Specialist for more information.
- Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP)- Work based learning programming for Travis County residents for students with and without disabilities.
Transition Assessments for Students
Transition and career Assessments are essential for students to identify their career interests and discover job opportunities. Students in special education services must complete at least one transition assessment per IEP year.
- My Next Move – Identify and/or explore career options. Search job options by key words, industry or interests
- O*Net Interest Profiler – Helps identify possible career options based on interests
- Transition Assessment Database- Searchable database of transition assessments
- Texas Reality Check – Determine how much money you need in the future to live the lifestyle you desire
- mySkillsmyFuture – Identify career options based on your previous jobs
The goal of students with disabilities attending 18+ programming’s is to work on their transition goals and prepare them for life after leaving Austin Independent School District.
To qualify for 18+ services the student must:
- Be accessing special education services
- Have a need to continue to work on transition goals (vocational, social, recreational/leisure, life skills)
- Completed all graduation requirements
- Graduating under a 35, 54, 55, 56, 57 graduation code
- 18+ Services Information.pdf
AISD 18+ Programming Opportunities
Austin Independent School District is committed to providing a variety of 18+ programming opportunities to fit student’s unique needs. AISD will provide tours and information sessions on the following dates:
- September 2024
- October 2024
- November 2024
Go Project
The GO Project is a community-based transition program for students with disabilities who are 18-21 years of age. The program enables students to move beyond the high school setting and finish their education in a college or work environment. The GO Project promotes adult living skills and allows students to participate in activities related to all transition areas and develop relationships with same-age peers.
Greenleaf NCC
In an 1882 partnership between Easter Seals and Austin ISD, Greenleaf NCC is offering a transition program for students who are 18 years old or older, have met state graduation requirements, and have autism or related neurodivergent conditions. Students in the program work toward mastery of their IEP (individual education plan) and post-secondary school goals through project-based learning in creative arts and technology, and through direct instruction in the classroom and in community settings.
- Greenleaf NCC 18+ Program
- Contact Greenleaf staff for information and tour opportunities
Transition to Life in the Community (TLC)
The Rosedale TLC program prepares students and their families for life after graduation by offering daily community and vocational experiences outside the classroom. TLC staff provide students and families with the support necessary to create a meaningful life plan for their students following graduation.
College Opportunities
Life after graduation from high school and dismissal from special education has several key changes as students attend higher education opportunities. Please see the below documents and links to explore the changes in roles and responsibilities after an AISD student graduates and is dismissed from special education services.
- Navigate Life College and Alternatives
- Accommodations vs. Modifications in higher learning environments
- College Services vs. Public School Services
- Getting accommodations in higher education
- Think College- Higher education programming information for students with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Provides a database of programs across the United States as well as planning resources.
- Disability Specific Scholarship opportunities
Training Opportunities
Students who are interested in employment opportunities after high school can access programs that will allow them meaningful employment after graduation and dismissal from special education services.
- Goodwill Youth Employment Programs- Job search assistance, training, and career development case management opportunities for individuals with and without disabilities in Travis County.
- Austin Trade Unions- Central Texas trade unions and paid apprenticeship programs.
- Texas Workforce Solutions- Job search, training, and career development opportunities for individuals with and without disabilities.
- JobCorps- Free, residential career training and education program for low-income young adults ages 16 through 24.
- LifeWorks- Programming focused on developing the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the challenges of adolescence, move toward independence, and break the cycle of poverty.
Medicaid Waivers - Medicaid waivers provide long term support to allow for students with disabilities to obtain services in the community. Interest lists in Texas are long and it is highly recommended have your student added as soon as you receive a diagnosis.
Day Programs - Day programming provides recreational and social activities for adults with disabilities. Medicaid waivers can provide funding for programming.
Transportation - Navigating the community is an essential part of independent living. For students with disabilities, there are options for how to navigate the community safely.
- Drivers education information
- Driving with an disability in Texas information
- CapMetro Public Transportation
- Capital Metro Access- Apply for door to door services for individuals with disabilities
- Travel Training- Capital Metro can provide students training on how to ride the bus and learn fixed routes.
Housing - There is a wide range of options available for students interested in living independently.
ARCIL Inc. - Resource Center for Independent Living is a private non-profit corporation dedicated to the advancement and full participation of persons with disabilities in all aspects of life.