Vocational assessment is critical to the success of programs for handicapped students. Several types of vocational assessment activities which can be used are summarized in tables: cumulative data review, interviewing, psychometrics, work samples, production work, simulated job stations, and on-the-job assessment. (CL)

Involvement of students and adult employees into the decisions that affect their education and employment can improve their transition into supported employment. One means for increasing involvement into these decisions is to gain their input into performance evaluations and support needs. The "Job Observation and Behavior Scale: Opportunity for…

Techniques to assess complex features of employment include situational assessment, observational assessment (participant observation, naturalistic observation), and quantification of behaviors. Such data provide a basis for comparing disabled and nondisabled workers, help prioritize instructional objectives, and direct placement decisions. (CL)

Two Massachusetts projects are addressing the need for improved career/vocational evaluation of special needs students in middle/junior high schools. Data are derived from actual instructional experience and represent actual vocational knowledge, skills, attitudes, and interests, as well as specific subskills contributing to vocational…

The paper sets forth the position of the Council for Exceptional Children's Division on Career Development regarding career/vocational assessment. The statement addresses the definitions, purpose, goals, methods, and personnel involved. (CL)

Outlines the history of vocational evaluation and assessment, career assessment, and transition assessment; discusses the relationship among these three areas; and provides recommendations in the area of transition assessment, including the need to start the assessment process at an earlier age and to emphasize performance in the community. (CR)

Curriculum-based vocational assessment procedures as implemented in the United States Department of Defense Dependents Schools in Germany are assessing a match of handicapped students' interests and strengths in terms of career and vocational instructional options. The model is described, with emphasis on project planning and design and…

Service delivery issues leading to the development of Curriculum Based Vocational Assessment (CBVA) are reviewed; eight key steps (in the form of 38 questions) to CBVA implementation are identified. Intrinsic benefits such as maximizing the impact of assessment data on curriculum are noted. (DB)

The article proposes an alternative assessment model for secondary students with mild handicaps which infuses career and vocational assessment into the process as well as psycho-educational, socio-behavioral, and academic assessment. Suggestions for career and vocational assessment at elementary, middle school/junior high, and senior high school…

The article presents an overview of the current state of the art of vocational assessment for people with severe disabilities. Definitions of "Severely Handicapped" and "Vocational Assessment" are suggested. The literature on the following specific assessment areas is reviewed: adaptive behavior, cognitive ability, physical condition, academic…

Consistent with person-centered planning, a video CD-ROM program was used to help youth with disabilities identify job preferences. The program was administered to 56 participants (ages 14-22) at 60-day intervals. Results indicated that selections of general work conditions were highly consistent, whereas selections of specific job choices were…

A Career Portfolio approach which documents the competencies of a student with disabilities is explained. The portfolio can be used as the basis for informal vocational assessment, for development of annual and short-term objectives, for vocational counseling, and as a tool to take to job interviews. (DB)