As part of our mission of closing the achievement gap, SchoolSmartKC has dedicated over $700,000 to support Kansas City Public Schools in developing a new Special Education Inclusion Model.
Special Education
The Transition Academy
SchoolSmartKC is proud to have provided financial support to The Transition Academy, a local non-profit organization that seeks to build structures and improve next-destination success outcomes for students of color with disabilities or additional needs.
For Special Education Families, Data-Informed Programs Are Critical to Post-COVID Success
Kim Riley, CEO of The Transition Academy, has spent the duration of 2020 working to ensure that the needs of Special Education students are met during and following the COVID-19 crisis. The Transition Academy, still in its infancy when COVID forced schools and student-focused programs into the digital space, was founded to provide post-high school resources for families of students with disabilities, and Kim recognized the importance of not slowing down with the organization’s mission:
Profiles in Leadership: Kim Riley
Kim Riley is the CEO and founder of The Transition Academy, a Kansas City based non-profit that provides college and career planning resources and support to special education students and their families. In March, 2020 Kim launched ‘Tuesday Talks’, a virtual forum and “safe space” for parents and educators to gather on a weekly basis to discuss obstacles and share solutions related to young adults with special needs.