Augusta Independent Receives $150,000 Grant for Transition Services

During the spring of 2023, the Augusta Independent School District was notified it had received a $150,000 grant through the Kentucky Department of Education to implement a transition lab on the school campus. Over the summer, extensive organization and work was completed in the family and consumer science classroom to convert it into the new space.

In the new work development lab, students become employees and teachers become employers. Using this lab allows school staff to assess a student's competitive work potential and interest level, while simultaneously exploring various jobs, using real tools, and developing proper work behaviors in a variety of work areas.

“The school district is eager to implement the program and teachers have done an outstanding job planning and preparing throughout the summer,” said Augusta Independent Superintendent Lisa McCane. “The PAES lab provides a systematic transition process that will contribute to the likelihood special needs students will have better post-school outcomes. So far, students are enthusiastic about the program and being immersed into a hands-on work environment setting that will have a positive impact on their future.”

The new work development lab, known as the PAES Lab, has a research-based, functional skills curriculum with an embedded assessment of career potential and employability skills. PAES is an assessment system which identifies functional skill levels, career interests, aptitude for community based employment and work behavior strengths and barriers to success in students.

The PAES lab transforms a classroom into a simulated work environment where individuals will learn:

Work-related problem solving skills
Proper work behavior by developing soft skills
Insight into job skills and real work settings
Understanding of their learning and training styles for future employment