This paper offers a structured framework for the transition of students with disabilities from middle or junior high school to high school. First, it outlines a transition decision tree to help decide whether a formal transition plan is needed. Next, the paper offers a 10-step set of practices appropriate for all students with disabilities in the…

The Teaching Research Transition Planning Project (Oregon) is implementing and evaluating the development of school/community teams to facilitate transition of handicapped students into the community. Preliminary evaluation results support the value of an outside stimulus to encourage collaboration, locally generated plans, and policy decision…

A survey of 80 high school students with learning disabilities (LD) and 80 nondisabled (NLD) peers found that more LD students than NLD students were involved in transition programs; career goals were established by the majority of both groups; and twice as many NLD students as LD students wanted to go to college. (Author/JDD)

A variety of accelerative options for gifted high school students is described, including part-time college programs and full-time early entrance programs. The University of Washington's Transition School and Early Entrance Program is presented as an option for teenagers to enter university without attending high school at all. (DB)

The transformation of a large, private, church-affiliated provider of residential services for individuals with mental retardation from an institutionally based to a community-based service system is described. Factors influencing the decision to close the 200-person residential facility, guidelines followed during the transition, and evidence of…

A 13-week developmental studies course offered at an Australian college and designed to help disadvantaged women make the transition to higher education, focused on both academic and nonacademic requirements for successful college study. Participants experienced significant changes in styles of learning and decision making. (MSE)

This packet of handouts focuses on the role of the family in easing their child with disabilities from one early childhood educational program to another. Typical items include: reasons for involving families in transition; questions parents ask about "appropriate" placement; planned conversations with parents during the transition process; parent…

This study analyzed a program to involve six institutionalized adults with mild mental retardation in their transition to community living. The program involved interviewing to determine their community living lifestyle preferences, identifying strongest preferences, and teaching subjects to obtain preference availability information from group…

The report looks at programs and approaches for educating students from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds. It is intended as a guide for school and district decision-makers to help them identify instructional approaches and programs appropriate to their students' needs. Four program alternatives are discussed: newcomer programs;…

This survey of 85 parents of children with handicaps (ages 14-25) assesses the involvement of parents in the transition process of the young person from home to work or independent living, the kind of involvement they desire, and responsibilities they would be willing to assume in order to be involved. Findings show that although more than…

Part of a series on the transition of students with disabilities from school to adult roles, this guide focuses on the transition to postsecondary education. It presents a model, the Opportunities in Postsecondary Education through Networking (OPEN) model, to assist students, parents, and school personnel in the decision-making, planning, and…

This curriculum was developed to support American Indian high school students in their transition from high school to postsecondary life. It provides a structured process and culturally relevant activities that can be led by either teachers, tribal elders, community members, or paraprofessionals. The curriculum is based on principles such as a…

Discusses strategies that support student self-determination in transition planning, including: holding high expectations for students, preparing students for transition meetings, allowing students to make important decisions, encouraging students to attend transition fairs, and providing opportunities for students to explore their communities and…

This book provides teachers and other practitioners with a variety of procedures and materials to help students with disabilities become involved in their transition planning to the maximum extent possible. Chapters include: (1) "Student Involvement in Education Planning, Decision Making, and Instruction: An Idea Whose Time Has Arrived" (Michael…

The manual was the outcome of a 3-year project to develop a training program on self-advocacy for special education students. The student training is a 3-4 hour program aimed at increased student awareness of their rights and responsibilities as they begin the transition process. Training materials include outlines for each session, student…