Following an exhaustive review of literature, research, and curricula focused on soft skills development, the Chicago Public Schools Education To Careers (CPS-ETC) identified ASCL Educational Services as the company that could deliver the curriculum they needed. CPS schools understood the value of career readiness skills and partnered with ASCL to create what has matured into Transitions: Life Skills for Personal Success

A pilot program was launched during the 2003-2004 school year, with several Chicago High Schools taking part. Encouraging results convinced CPS that ASCL could design and expand on this pilot and develop a full-blown, customized curriculum and set of support materials to meet the district's instructional needs.

In October 2004, ASCL initiated a Train-the-Trainer series of one-day workshops for core teams from Chicago public high schools. Training was provided to school teams comprised of ETC teachers, academic teachers, counselors, administrative representatives, and others who subsequently shared the materials and techniques with local school colleagues. Teams from 60 high schools were trained during the 2004-2005 school year.

This year CPS ETC will continue to roll out this program to over 40,000 students district-wide.