PWCS expands post-secondary transition and work-based learning programs for students with disabilities

Prince William County Public Schools staff told the school board on March 19 that the division has expanded post-secondary transition programming for students with disabilities and is adding additional full-day, work-based learning sites.

Associate Superintendent for Special Education Dr. Ashley Ryar and Supervisor Anne Johnson presented details showing growth in specialized programming, increases in staffing, and partnerships with business and adult-service agencies. The division reported that, as of the latest count, 14.6% of students in PWCS receive special education services and that the number of students identified with autism has increased by more than 500 over two years.

Program highlights presented: - Project SEARCH and Explore full-day internship programs run at business host sites and prepare students (ages 18–22) for competitive integrated employment. PWCS now operates two Project SEARCH sites (UVA Health Prince William Medical Center and Westminster at Lake Ridge) and multiple Explore sites (Todos Neighborhood Market and Capital Ridge Gracious Retirement Living). Westminster at Lake Ridge is the division’s second Project SEARCH site; PWCS was the only Virginia district to open a second site this school year. - The division works with 151 local business partners. Project SEARCH at UVA cited a 74% rate of graduates receiving competitive employment offers; the Explore Todos site cited a 67% employment-offer rate for graduates. - The employee (Work-Based Learning) curriculum includes Employee 1 through Employee 4 courses; Employee 4 students complete a minimum of 396 hours of paid work experience while earning high school credit. - Central investments include 350 additional teaching assistants in specialized programs over recent years, 15 additional behavior specialists, and a supervisor dedicated to post-secondary transition coordination.

Next steps announced: staff plan to add two new Explore sites for 2025–26 (one confirmed as a Hilton Inn Manor/banquet partner for the western cluster; the eastern site is being finalized), broaden community partnerships, and expand access to supported employment pathways. Staff projected roughly 60 interns across six full-day internship sites for the 2025–26 school year.

Board members praised the programs and asked for expanded public lists of employer partners and sites so families can better understand available placements. Board member Ms. Williams, who visited the Todos site, called the program “life changing.”

No formal action was required; the presentation was informational.