One Old Ferry Road
Stonewall Terrace IV/Honors Building
Bristol, RI 2809
Program Contact | Carolyn Aspinawall, Director |
Program Contact Email | carolyn.aspinwall@ebecri.org |
Phone | 401-440-0856 |
Website | Program website |
link to program Facebook page |
The RI Transition Academy at Roger Williams University is a unique educational program operated by The East Bay Educational Collaborative that provides motivated students with disabilities an opportunity to complete their high school education on a college campus and in various community settings. The Transition Academies began in 2003 as an alternative to the public school setting for 18-21 year old students with intellectual, physical and/or emotional disabilities who require additional instruction in functional life skills including employment preparation, social skills training, and assistance with college coursework. Some of the main objectives for our students include;
• To learn about themselves and the world around them.
• To prepare for and obtain competitive employment by participation in business internships.
• To have opportunities to take college courses with support.
• To participate in campus activities and to join clubs.
• To learn how to interact and access their community.
• To have the same kind of experiences their non-disabled peers have.
• To make friends and form networks that will support them in the future.
• To gain experiences that will better prepare them to live independently.
Program Components:
• Students attend the program 180 days and follow the college academic calendar as closely as possible.
• Students learn how to take public transportation to and from the campus, as well as to worksites in the community.
• Students participate in 3 eight to ten week internships at community businesses matched to personal skills, abilities and preferences 3 days per week.
• Transition Weeks in between student internships allow students to reflect on their experience, participate in interviews, prepare presentations on skills they have gained and prepare their resumes.
• Students plan and participate in social activities with their Academy peers 1 day per week and with RWU peers weekly through “Best Buddies” on Campus.
• Students receive functional independent living instruction in an apartment setting 1 day per week.
• Students receive special education classroom transition instruction three mornings per week.
• Each Semester Academy Students attend a college level course in conjunction with RWU students.
The Transition Academy is integrated on Campus :
• RWU School of Education Interns work with students in the classroom 50 hours per semester as part of their pre-service training.
• Academy students participate in “Best Buddies” Chapter on Campus
• Academy students participate in recreational activities on campus with RWU peers as well as access facilities for dining and leisure.
• Academy students participate each semester in a RWU College course.
Students that have graduated from the RI Transition Academy have gone on to positive outcomes in employment, community living and or postsecondary education.
Program information submitted: January 11, 2023
General | |
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Public or private: | Private |
Type of school: | 4-year college or university |
Is this program a federally funded TPSID program? | No |
Students in this program: | Are still enrolled in high school |
Number of students: | 8 |
Description of our summer transition program: |
Affiliates | |
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School district or agency partner: | East Bay Educational Collaborative serving districts in RI, MA and CT |
Contact person: | Carolyn Aspinwall, Director |
Email: | carolyn.aspinwall@ebecri.org |
Requirements | |
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Program serves students who have left high school? | Some of our students have left high school |
Deadline to apply to this program: | NONE |
Criteria for admission |
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Accepts out-of-state students? | Yes |
Please indicate which disabilities students in this program have: |
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Program length: | Varies from student to student |
Acceptance, Retention, and Completion Rates | |
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Acceptance rate for the most recent fall term: | 98.00% |
Retention rate for first year students from the previous academic year to the current one: | 10.00% |
Notes on acceptance and attendance: | STUDENTS ARE ELIGIBLE TO STAY IN THE PROGRAM UNTIL AGE 22. |
Cost | |
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Average student tuition and fees for the current school year: | $32500.00 |
Average out-of-state tuition, current year: | $32500.00 |
Room and board: | $0.00 |
Program fees: | $0.00 |
Is this program able to provide federal financial aid as a Comprehensive Transition Program (CTP)? | We are not a CTP, and have no plans to become one. |
Students pay for the program in the following ways: |
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Academic | |
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Students enrolled in this program take the following types of inclusive courses (with students who don't have disabilities): | Typical Continuing Education courses |
More about course access: | EACH SEMESTER ACADEMY STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN A JOINT INCLUSION CLASS THROUGH THE RWU EDUCATION DEPARTMENT THAT FOCUSES ON BUILDING SOCIAL AND EMPLOYMENT SKILLS. |
Students take courses that are only for students in this program: | |
Percentage of academic time spent in inclusive courses (with students who don't have disabilities): | 100% |
Do all students in this program enroll in at least one inclusive college/university course for credit or audit each semester? | Yes |
Employment | |
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Percent of students in this program have paid work while attending the program: | 80% |
Other career development activities are: |
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Percent of students in this program that had paid work after exiting the program: | 20% |
Additional information about career development and work experience: | STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN 2-3 INTERNHIPS DURING THE YEAR |
Does this program have a working partnership with VR to provide funding, supports and/or services to students in the program? | Yes |
Housing | |
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Housing is provided to students: | No |
Extracurricular | |
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Students participate in student organizations on campus: | Yes |
Percentage of social time spent in inclusive activities (open to all students on campus): | 50-74% |
Students may participate in the following extra-curricular activities |
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