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…

Transitional planning is incorporated into the multidisciplinary Individualized Education Program process for mildly handicapped tenth graders. A specific transition/termination plan was developed based on a vocational evaluation. Updating the transition plan is addressed in the student's final year, with referrals initiated to appropriate…

Involvement of students with mild mental retardation (MMR) in the transition planning process was evaluated through interviews with 44 secondary teachers of students with MMR. The interviews focused on behaviors of the teacher and Individualized Education Program (IEP) team members before and during the transition planning meeting as well as…

The Learning Development and Evaluation Center (LDEC) at Florida A&M University offers students with specific learning disabilities the opportunity to succeed in postsecondary education. LDEC provides psychoeducational assessments upon which an individualized educational plan is based. Guidelines encompass initial screening procedures, ongoing…

During the 1980s, school-community partnerships increased nationwide, prompted by diminishing federal and state financial support for education, increasing numbers of at-risk students, and initiatives promoting local decision-making. Numerous examples in the literature portray partnerships involving "adoption" of schools by businesses, school use…

In response to findings that 50-80% of handicapped adults nationwide are unemployed, the state of South Dakota has mandated transition planning for handicapped secondary students. A statewide mail survey examined the awareness and attitudes of special education teachers about the need for transition services, the extent of current teacher training…

An exploratory multiple-case study examined West Virginia students', parents', and educators' perceptions of participation by secondary students and recent school leavers with mild intellectual disabilities in the Individual Transition/Education Planning (ITEP) process. Data collection consisted of individual interviews with 24 students and…

This paper discusses provisions of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 1997 (IDEA) and suggests strategies for maximizing existing resources in rural settings to meet the requirements of the law. The purposes of this paper are to: (1) discuss personnel preparation data relevant to ensuring that all individuals possess the necessary…

This paper presents a transcript of a National Center on Secondary Education and Transition's (NCSET's) teleconference call held on June 29, 2005. Presenters Pam Stenhjem and Megan Dushin described the Youthhood Web site (http://www.youthhood.org), NCSET's interactive Web-based curriculum developed to help young adults plan for life after high…