The article outlines a guide to help special educators, parents, and adult service providers assist learning-disabled individuals in exploring employment and postsecondary options and enhance the transition planning process. Steps include developing an employability profile, identifying occupational areas to explore, and conducting exploration…

Young adolescents entering high school look forward to having more choices and making new and more friends; however, they also are concerned about being picked on and teased by older students, having harder work, making lower grades, and getting lost in a larger, unfamiliar school. For middle school students, including those who have been labeled…

When seriously emotionally disturbed students from an institution are placed in public schools, transition programs are critical. Responses of public school teachers and institutional teachers to a questionnaire identified communication and long range planning as major concerns. (CL)

The crucial objective of the transitional curriculum is to make only a small intended change at a time, uncomplicated by other considerations. To illustrate, an elementary science curriculum is presented that features an inquiry approach with the pupils handling materials. (Author/MLF)

The article describes a process for use in high-school transition programs to promote student independence within the context of vocational training. Strategies described include: evaluating student independence in community-based settings, teaching student adaptability, and transferring control of student independence to work-related stimuli. A…

Elementary-school students with hearing impairments need preparation for transition to junior high school, where students receive less individual support from teachers and must accept more responsibility. Such preparation should focus on keeping up with the class, following a personal class schedule, accepting responsibility, keeping track of…

The article defines the term, "transition," discusses the types of transitions that occur during early childhood special education, explores the rationale for studying and planning such transitions, and identifies transition issues and procedures. Tables offer data on critical events in rearing a handicapped family member, commercially available…

This case study of one resource program describes structures and techniques used in the regular classroom, playground, lunchroom, and resource room to help in mainstreaming handicapped students. In four years this program saw a 42 percent reduction in students classified as handicapped, although school enrollment grew by almost 38 percent.…

Seven pitfalls of transition planning for students with disabilities are identified: (1) planning at an inappropriate level; (2) confusing means with ends; (3) failing to involve all relevant educational partners; (4) selecting programs before identifying goals; (5) failing to consider future community realities; (6) being unaware of the process…

A model is presented for planning the transition of handicapped children from early childhood special education (ECSE) programs into kindergarten/elementary school mainstream classrooms. The model, developed through Project TEEM (Transitioning into the Elementary Education Mainstream), enables parents, ECSE, and elementary school program staff to…

Discusses the core components of the School-to-Work Opportunities Act of 1994 and the key elements of successful school-to-work partnerships for students with deafness. Elements include supportive and committed leadership, committed staff, support from local and state governments, help from facilitators, and financial support from diverse sources.…

College graduates and employers alike have expressed dissatisfaction with the tack of job competencies of new graduates. Both groups suggest that institutions of higher education must do a better job of preparing their students to meet workplace challenges. The author describes the problem and presents a model that is delivered via distance…

This packet provides a variety of information pieces to help early childhood educational programs prepare young children with disabilities for transition out of one program and into another. The booklet opens with sample thoughts children may have when anticipating transition. Next, 20 possible differences among programs are specifically…

This booklet focuses on the role of interagency agreements in facilitating the transition of young children and their families from early intervention services to preschool services as children turn 3 years of age. Interagency agreements can be viewed as an "invisible brace" supporting families and staff as they consider many issues in moving from…

The six sections of this guide offer information to teachers about the Gesell Screening and Developmental Placement Program for children entering kindergarten at Lincoln School, Toppenish, Washington. After a brief description of the Gesell program, Section I outlines aspects of planning the screening program, specifically discussing the…