Project SEARCH staff and interns presented the district-run transition-to-work program to the Davenport Community School District board, describing daily structure, partner sites and data showing multi-year employment outcomes.

Instructor Cassie Schad walked trustees through a typical day—class at 8 a.m., internships during the day, and a 2 p.m. reflection and journaling session. The program uses a weekly curriculum that cycles through financial literacy, technology, wellness and self-advocacy, social communication and workplace skills, and employment-preparation activities.

Cassie described the program's use of VocFit, an assessment tool the presenters said includes 133 questions administered six times per year to track skill growth and match interns to appropriate internships. "We're a transition based employment model. Our goal is at the end of the year that each and every one of these students and their peers has competitive employment," the presenter said. Students then demonstrated what they do in internships: Nick said, "My favorite part of class time is practice scenarios and making new friends." Olivia described her activities internship and visits to the zoo with residents as a highlight.

Staff reported program outcomes dating back to the 2019–20 school year and said that in 2023–24 the cohort had nine students employed by the program's Feb. 28 cutoff; presenters characterized the program's recent results as at least an 80% success rate for employment by that cutoff. The district noted Project SEARCH is entering its ninth year. Board members and student representatives praised the demonstration and said they hoped to see the program continue.

What this means: Project SEARCH is a district-supported pathway that pairs classroom instruction and community internships to prepare students with disabilities for post-high-school employment. The board heard both participant testimony and outcome data; administrators will continue to oversee the program.