LIFE SKILLS AND TRANSITION PROGRAMMING

Project Bace

Build an effective, individualized functional skills program for your low-incidence students.

On Demand
Program Development


Community Guidance


What is
Project Bace?

Everyone needs a "Home Bace," especially our students who require more sustained support through school and into adulthood. Project Bace is a comprehensive four-month course designed for special education teachers working with students with low-incidence disabilities. This course provides step-by-step guidance on developing and enhancing functional skills programs tailored to each student's unique needs. You will learn best practices in assessment, individualized planning, and evidence-based instructional strategies to help your students build daily living, communication, and social skills. With an emphasis on creating sustainable and impactful programming, this course empowers educators to foster greater independence and success with their students both in the classroom and beyond. You will engage in collaborative discussions, real-world case studies, and hands-on activities to build your expertise and confidence in delivering high-quality functional skills instruction.

WHO THIS PROJECT IS FOR:
  • Special education teachers in self-contained programs
  • Behavior specialists and program coordinators

Strands

Curate your own learning path through one, some, or all of the strands.

Resources

Learn through lectures, podcasts, ebooks, case studies, tools, and more!

Guidance

Access ongoing expert coaching and support throughout the program.

Cohorts

Keep connecting with your colleagues long after the project is over...
Project Bace

Join our next cohort at Home Bace!

  • Audience: Teachers
  • Level: Progressive
  • Study time: 24+ hours
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ON DEMAND PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT
Project Onward is a 24-module professional development path designed to help you build an effective, individualized functional skills program for your low-incidence students.

  • 4 Key Themes
  • 16 Modules
  • 82 Instructional Videos
  • 16 Podcast Episodes
  • 16 eBook References
  • ...Resources, Tools, and More!

Planning Your Path:

Each module has four components: instructional videos, podcasts, eBooks, and implementation resources. This supports learners with differing preferred learning modalities. Visual learners may prefer the videos and eBooks whereas auditory learners may prefer the podcasts and videos while kinesthetic learners may prefer the printables. The design of this project is intended to provide resources for all professional learners to progress through your program development as you're ready for it.

To schedule your time to process the modules, consider the following:
  • each module’s instructional videos run about 61 minutes (the shortest is 25 minutes, the longest is 100 minutes),
  • each module’s podcasts run about 16 minutes (the shortest is 11 minutes, the longest is 25 minutes), and
  • each eBook should take about 13 minutes to process depending upon your reading speed. 
You will need around 90 minutes to process the module content (the shortest is 53 minutes and the longest is 131 minutes) and then time after that to consider how to implement the ideas from the module into your instructional day.

While the project is designed to allow progression through the modules at one’s own pace and in a sequence each educator deems most appropriate for their individual needs, the following sequence is offered as a suggested progression through the modules.
  • If your goal is to complete the project in four months (one semester), you will need to complete four modules per month.
  • If your goal is to complete the project in six months, you will need to complete two to three modules per month or roughly one per week.
  • If your goal is to complete the project in eight months (one traditional school year), you will need to complete two modules per month.
This chart is our recommended pacing guidance. If you're not sure, we recommend you start with four months and slow down from there.
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STRAND ORGANIZATION

What will I be learning?

B

Behavioral Understanding

This strand gets into the principles of behavior, exploring how students learn and display behaviors in various settings. Understanding and supporting behavior is crucial for fostering a positive and effective learning environment.

A

Additional Skills

This strand covers strategies for expanding students’ communicative abilities, effective transition planning, building strong collaborative relationships with families -- plus a few other things too!

C

Curriculum & Instructional Practices

This strand focuses on identifying key curriculum components, setting individualized goals, and utilizing effective instructional methods to meet the diverse needs of students with low-incidence disabilities.

E

Environmental Setup and Design

This strand focuses on the design and setup of classroom spaces, emphasizing how layout, visuals, schedules, and organizational systems work together to promote student independence and skill development.
PROJECT BACE

Practical learning experiences!

Behavior
Additional
Curriculum
Environment
Behavioral Understanding

Transform Challenges into Opportunities for Growth

Rewiring
Responses

Analyze and differentiate between various levels of structured reinforcement systems to determine appropriate implementation strategies in diverse educational contexts.

Apply the ABC framework to analyze classroom behavior patterns and develop targeted intervention strategies.

Evaluate the effectiveness of structured reinforcement techniques through data collection and analysis to make evidence-based adjustments to behavioral management approaches.

Beyond
Control

Analyze and implement direct teaching strategies for establishing clear behavioral expectations in educational settings, evaluating their effectiveness through evidence-based assessment methods.

Design comprehensive visual reminder systems that effectively communicate classroom expectations.

Develop and evaluate positive reinforcement techniques that strengthen desired student behaviors, demonstrating the ability to adapt these techniques for diverse learning environments and student populations.

Behavior
by Design

Apply the A-B-C framework to analyze and interpret behavioral patterns, demonstrating understanding of how consequences motivate actions.

Differentiate between the four functions of behavior and provide relevant examples of each in educational settings.

Evaluate the varying values of consequences in different contexts and explain how these values influence the continuation or modification of behaviors.

Precision
Interventions

Design and implement function-specific interventions that foster positive and structured means of connection to replace reliance on negative behaviors for interaction.

Evaluate various types of reinforcers using appropriate assessment tools to create individualized motivation systems that effectively support behavior change.

Apply data collection and analysis techniques to monitor intervention effectiveness, make evidence-based adjustments, and document behavioral outcomes.
Curriculum & Instructional Practices

Where Structure Meets Success and Independence Blossoms

Structured
Success

Identify environmental factors that support skill maintenance so that students can demonstrate persistence in vocational tasks by applying strategies to maintain behaviors in their repertoire even when facing challenges.

Implement effective conflict resolution strategies by recognizing emotional triggers, managing feelings of frustration or anxiety, and utilizing appropriate steps to address interpersonal challenges.

Support students to apply functional reading skills to extract key information from written materials, comprehend instructions, and navigate environments using signs and maps in both academic and real-world contexts.

Goal
Getters

Analyze and implement essential life skills in various academic and professional contexts, showing understanding of how these skills contribute to personal development and success.

Apply SMART goal-setting principles to develop personalized academic and professional objectives, demonstrating the ability to create goals while incorporating feedback mechanisms for continuous improvement.

Demonstrate effective self-directed learning strategies that empower students to take charge of their educational journey, including the ability to identify learning needs, locate appropriate resources, and evaluate personal progress.

Learning
Architecture

Analyze and apply constructivist learning theory principles by designing hands-on activities, collaborative learning experiences, and real-world problem-solving scenarios that promote meaningful knowledge construction.

Design structured teaching approaches that break complex skills into manageable steps while incorporating principles of repetition and contrast to enhance skill development and concept differentiation.

Develop individualized educational strategies that recognize student strengths, employ flexible grouping techniques, and interactions to create responsive learning environments tailored to diverse learner needs.

Fade to
Freedom

Analyze and apply graduated guidance techniques to systematically fade physical prompts while respecting student abilities and ensuring successful learning outcomes.

Develop instructional sequences using stimulus fading to teach recognition of words, numbers, and symbols by systematically altering key features across learning trials.

Evaluate the effectiveness of various instructional practices for special education contexts through data collection and analysis to make evidence-based instructional decisions.
Environmental Setup and Design

Creating Spaces Where Every Student Can Thrive

Beyond
Four Walls

Analyze and implement effective transitions between small group instructional areas and independent work systems to support diverse learner needs.

Develop and apply rotation schedules for learning stations that maximize student engagement and learning outcomes.

Create and justify a comprehensive classroom management plan that integrates small group instruction with independent work systems.

Picture
Perfect

Create and justify a comprehensive visual support system that addresses multiple learning modalities while maintaining an organized and accessible educational environment.

Analyze and evaluate various visual support strategies including labeled storage, instructional posters, and behavioral visuals to determine their effectiveness in diverse educational environments.

Design and implement defined learning spaces that incorporate appropriate visual supports to enhance student engagement and promote successful learning outcomes.

Guidance
to Greatness

Analyze and apply a team-based approach to assess student needs and design appropriate visual supports that foster independence in educational settings.

Develop and implement a structured teaching strategy that gradually transitions students from guided instruction to independent task completion through systematic reduction of prompts.

Create and evaluate differentiated work systems that begin with simpler tasks and progressively incorporate more complex activities aligned with individual student strengths and preferences.

Classroom
Transformation

Develop and implement consistent, predictable classroom-wide behavior systems that incorporate varied, age-appropriate reinforcers tailored to individual student motivations.

Integrate related services and support systems into classroom management approaches to create comprehensive behavior strategies that address challenging behaviors through collaborative, supportive interventions.

Evaluate the effectiveness of positive behavior management techniques through data collection and analysis.
Additional Skills

Building Bridges Beyond the Classroom

Breaking
Barriers

Develop structured learning environments that effectively organize physical spaces and activities to support acquiring communication skills in authentic contexts.

Design and implement Natural Environment Teaching interventions that promote functional communication skills across multiple settings to enhance skill generalization.

Evaluate the effectiveness of both traditional and augmentative/alternative communication methods in fostering flexible, functional communication skills across different environments.

Pathways to
Independence

Evaluate and design comprehensive transition goals across multiple domains including academic, vocational, and self-advocacy skills that prepare students with diverse needs for post-secondary success and independence.

Create dynamic transition plans that include regular review and adjustment processes to ensure goals remain relevant and appropriately challenging as students progress toward independence.

Design work-based learning experiences that incorporate vocational training, job shadowing, and employment services to support students in developing practical career skills.

Partnering
for Progress

Analyze and evaluate various family engagement strategies to determine which approaches best accommodate diverse family circumstances, including scheduling conflicts and communication preferences.

Design and implement flexible meeting options that utilize appropriate technology tools to enhance family participation, while critically evaluating when and how AI communication tools might supplement but not replace authentic human interaction.

Develop and maintain consistent communication systems that provide thorough follow-up with families, incorporating responsible use of AI tools to organize and personalize communications while preserving educator authenticity.

Tensions
Rising

Demonstrate the ability to combine empathetic communication with careful documentation to facilitate productive interactions in educational settings while maintaining professional protection.

Analyze and apply legal requirements for educational follow-up, including providing prior written notice for changes, maintaining transparency about timelines, and adhering to evaluation deadlines.

Develop and implement effective parent engagement strategies emphasizing positive communication and regular updates to celebrate student progress.

Build Your Program

Start today, learn at your own pace - Project Bace.
FOR: LIFE SKILLS AND TRANSITION PROGRAM EDUCATORS
  • 3 coaches to guide you!
  • 40+ years experience
  • 4+ fields of expertise
  • 24 hour reply cycle
  • ...and more colleagues!
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Who am I learning from?

LEAD AUTHOR AND GROUP COACH

Christopher Zielinski, SSP, BCBA

Chris Zielinski is a school psychologist, behavior analyst, and school administrator specializing in public policy, special education, and program assessment and development. Throughout his career in public education, he has been a long-term substitute teacher, school psychologist, lead psychologist, behavior analyst, autism/behavior consultant, and assistant superintendent. Before transitioning to the field of education, Chris provided clinical behavioral health services and worked in corrections with state and federal inmates. Outside of his professional life, Chris enjoys spending time with his three amazing daughters and his motivated, intelligent, and supportive wife. Chris is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst with his Bachelor of Arts in Public Law and Criminal Justice, Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Specialist degree in School Psychology, and a Director of Special Education endorsement.
COAUTHOR AND GROUP COACH

Carly Dietz, MA, BCBA

Carly Dietz is a behavior analyst and the founder of a private ABA clinic focused on providing highly individualized, compassionate care. She specializes in building functional communication skills, nurturing meaningful social interactions, guiding families in effective behavior management, and supervising the next generation of behavior analysts. Her experience spans clinic, school, and home environments where she has collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to provide holistic support. Carly is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst with her Bachelors in Psychology with a focus on Early Childhood Education and her Masters in Psychology with a specialization in Applied Behavior Analysis.
GROUP COACH

Cass O’Hara, MA

Cass O’Hara is an educator, consultant, behavior technician, and aspiring school-based BCBA specializing in interdisciplinary collaboration toward creative solutions and finding success with the most resistant learners. She has been an actor and voiceover artist, administrative assistant in the hospitality sector, a manager of sales and clinical direction, clinical apprentice and trainer in a behaviorally analytic clinic, motivational speaker and service advocate with an arthritis foundation, day camp counselor and mentor at after-school programs as well as a preschool and elementary self-contained ED teacher and behavior consultant in charter schools. Outside of her professional work, she spends time with her family, enjoys new experiences and connections with others, and chooses to be creative however possible. Cass is a School-Based Behavior Technician with her Bachelor of Arts in Theatre with a concentration in performance and Master of Arts in Behavior Analysis with a specialization in Autism.

Frequently Asked Questions

Have a question that's not listed? Just ask!

What type of program is this designed for?

Project Bace is specifically designed for self-contained life skills classrooms and transition programs serving students with developmental and intellectual disabilities through modified life skills instruction.

How is this program delivered?

The project includes a series of self-paced modules that combine lectures, podcasts, ebooks, and printables into a holistic self-guided implementation experience. Collaborative asynchronous learning with peer educators led by expert coaches is also available.

What materials will I receive?

You'll receive comprehensive program design templates, behavior intervention tools, curriculum adaptation guides, and ongoing access to the growing resource library into the years to come.

Is this appropriate for new teachers?

Yes, while experienced teachers will benefit from the advanced strategies, the sequential learning is structured to support educators at all experience levels in developing effective specialized programs.

I have a whole team I'd like to enroll. Do you offer group rates?

Yes! District partners receive a 30% discount at TLC University. Contact us to explore what options may be available to you.

What is the refund policy?

Given the self-guided nature of this project experience, refunds are issued on a percentage completion basis within the first 90 days of enrollment.