Every family of a student with a disability eventually reaches the same cliff-edge question: What’s next after high school—college, training, a first job, supported employment, independent living? The quality of the plan behind that “what’s next” often determines whether a graduate steps into opportunity or uncertainty.
Why Secondary Transition Matters
Secondary transition is the process that helps students move from school to post-school life—whether that’s postsecondary education, training, competitive integrated employment, independent living, or community participation. It is rooted in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which, since 1990, has required schools to include postsecondary goals and transition services in a student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP). Transition planning must begin no later than age 14, be updated annually, and be based on age-appropriate assessments.
This legal foundation is the result of decades of advocacy for equal access to education and meaningful life opportunities for people with disabilities. The IDEA transition mandate ensures that students have coordinated activities that prepare them for life beyond high school.
The Gaps Are Real
There is a huge employment and education gap for people with disabilities. Nationally, only 22.7% of people with disabilities are employed, compared to 65.5% of people without disabilities. This disparity is even more pronounced among Black Americans with disabilities, who face an unemployment rate of 10.7%, higher than the 6.9% rate for their white counterparts. In education, the four-year graduation rate for students with disabilities is roughly 74%, compared to 87% for all students.
We at the Co-op believe it is never too early to start exploring the world of work. Students need various ways to explore life after high school. For some, this means exploring a career; for others, it may mean pursuing a training program or attending college.
Opening Doors Early—and the Stakes of Getting It Right
Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS), created under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), give students with disabilities an early start in exploring careers, developing workplace readiness, building self-advocacy skills, and understanding postsecondary education and training options.
According to the National Technical Assistance Center on Transition, Work-Based Learning Experiences (WBLEs) give students the chance to gain practical experience and essential workplace skills before graduation. Through the Co-op’s DC3C WorkReady activities – workplace tours, college visits, job shadowing, and our summer employment program – students connect today’s school experiences to tomorrow’s career opportunities. Employment is not just about a paycheck, it’s about dignity, independence, confidence, and hope.
That’s why intentional planning matters. When schools, families, and community partners work together to align assessments, coursework, and services with each student’s postsecondary goals, the results can be transformative: a young person graduates with real work experience, a clear plan, and the skills to thrive in college, training, or a career.
But when intention is missing—when transition plans are generic, experiences are limited, or follow-up is inconsistent—opportunity shrinks. Students may leave high school without the skills, credentials, or confidence they need, facing higher risks of unemployment, underemployment, and social isolation.
Intentional program design means integrating Pre-ETS and WBLE opportunities into each student’s IEP, prioritizing authentic, hands-on experiences, and continuously tracking progress to make sure supports evolve as goals and needs change. When done well, it is the bridge between the promise of education and the reality of a meaningful adult life.
DC3C: Filling the Gap in the District
The Co-op’s DC3C program exists to make intentional planning a reality for students and families across the city. We partner with 29 LEA campuses throughout the District of Columbia to deliver coordinated transition supports—aligning Pre-ETS, WBLEs, college and career guidance, and employer partnerships—so “what’s next” becomes a plan backed by real experiences.
Through DC3C Pathway Prep, we provide Pre-ETS services directly in middle and high schools to build the five key skill areas outlined in WIOA. Our DC3C WorkReady program delivers workplace tours, college visits, job shadowing, and internships that connect school learning to real careers. We’re thrilled to launch a lineup of dynamic new DC3C programs this year, along with the return of the popular Next Steps Fair:
- DC3C Connect will bring families and students together through engaging workshops, school-based events, and resource sessions that strengthen postsecondary planning.
- The Next Steps Fair will once again link high school students with colleges, training programs, and employers to open doors for the future, while the new Next Steps Summit will empower middle schoolers with early exposure to self-advocacy, community resources, and high school readiness.
- During R.E.A.D.Y. Week, held over Spring Break, students will sharpen their career readiness skills through interactive virtual workshops and inspiring guest speakers.
- The Summer Pathways Program will debut with paid work-based learning opportunities alongside career exploration and hands-on skill-building activities throughout the summer months.
Our goal is for all students with disabilities to leave high school prepared for DC’s 3Cs: College, Career, and Community. At DC3C, we believe every young person deserves meaningful opportunities and fulfilling careers, and we are here to assist students as they figure out: “What’s next?”
The Takeaway and a Call to Action
Secondary transition isn’t just a checklist—it’s the runway to adult life. With the right planning, collaboration, and opportunities, every student can graduate ready to thrive in whatever path they choose.
You can be part of this work. Consider hosting a workplace tour, job shadow, or internship to give students hands-on experience. Sponsor a Work-Based Learning Experience to help young people gain skills and confidence. Or join us at the DC3C Next Steps Fair by hosting a vendor table and connecting directly with students and families. Together, we can create a city where every young person with a disability has a clear, supported path to a successful future.