Workforce Development is a program for 18-21 year old transitional students. It provides opportunities for students to gain independent living skills, social skills, employment, and self advocacy in real life settings and to participate in age-appropriate activities in their communities. These services ideally are located outside of the high school, in community settings such as vocational-technical colleges, house/apartments, offices, and/ or businesses. Our classroom setting is located in the Lincoln Building.

The reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) in 1990 and the subsequent reauthorizations, including the latest in 2007, mandate school districts to provide transition services for students with disabilities in order to improve post-school outcomes. To help meet the transition requirements, our district has developed community based transition options. These services are designed to support students who typically need to continue to work on their transition goals.

The Workforce Development Program is a voluntary program with Rapid City Area Schools for young adults 19-21 that the IEP Team has determined the student will receive a Certificate of Completion. It is designed to assist in making connections with resources for adult services and providing special education transition services that enable students to lead productive and independent lives. Students interested in this program typically are:

• RCAS students with a disability age 19-21

• Have IEP Transition Goals that cannot be met in a traditional high school setting

• Qualify for Vocational Rehabilitation

• Have the ability to develop independent work skills

• Independently meet self-care needs

• Communicate basic needs

• Require minimal supervision

• Safely access the community setting

• Have some work/volunteer experience

• Regularly attends school

• Express a desire to continue education past the age of 18

Life and Workplace Readiness Course Guidebook 2025-2026

More information about Workforce Development