Today, 19 seniors from Tyler High School and Tyler Legacy High School signed letters of intent to participate in Tyler ISD Transition Programs during a Signing Day event. Tyler ISD offers three exceptional transition service-based programs for students: Project SEARCH, LINK, and CONNECT. Each program uniquely incorporates collaborating with a variety of community businesses to teach real-world skills in a supportive environment.
The Project SEARCH Program is housed at CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System; the LINK Program is housed at Tyler Junior College - West Campus; and the CONNECT Program is housed at the Wayne D. Boshears Center.
Transition services provide young adults, 18 to 22 years old, with the skills and knowledge necessary for successful transition into community and adult living. Students meet throughout the week at various community sites to work on skills in adult living, employment, post-secondary education options and community access.
Project SEARCH is a collaboration between Tyler ISD, CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System, Texas Workforce Solutions Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Andrews Center, and Winning Edge Employment Services. It is designed to fully immerse students with developmental disabilities into the workplace, allowing them to gain marketable skills to secure competitive employment in their last year of transition from school to work.
LINK (Learning Independence and New Knowledge) is housed at the TJC West Campus and offers students supported work training through rotations in various internships within the workplace and volunteer settings in the community.
CONNECT (Creating Opportunities Now Needed to Establish Connections Tomorrow) is housed at the Wayne D. Boshears Center for Exceptional Programs and focuses on gaining skills needed for independent living, day habilitation programs, and skills needed to attend a sheltered workshop.
Teachers, friends, counselors, and district and local representatives from community partners gave each student a warm, cheering welcome as they entered. A brief bio was shared for each student, along with remarks expressing gratitude to families, past and present teachers and staff, and the many community businesses that partner with Tyler ISD to support student success as they transition into adulthood. The event concluded with students signing their letters of intent for the 2026–2027 year.
Tyler High students include Ryan Dominguez, Bethzy Saldana, Christopher Lopez, Katie Campos, and Kentrall Holmes.
Tyler Legacy students include Sophie Harris, Katherine Lloyd, Cruz Martinez, Najahiya Sanders, Mark Oller, Ryann Fernandez, Gia Williams, Joshua Betancourt, Benjamin Fancher, Anastacia Roy, Daliah Smith, and Ariana Willis.
For more information, contact Jennifer Hines at Jennifer.Hines@TylerISD.org.