A former special education teacher reflects on the discovery and acceptance of the benefits of education and training in helping people with disabilities become valuable societal resources. Early evidence of the benefits of transition programs, legislative efforts supporting vocational training for students with disabilities, and the development…

Details the history of the transition movement and the participation of students with disabilities in transition planning. Reviews legislative changes that emphasize self-determination and explains the link between self-determination and students' mental health. Also identifies characteristics of schools that promote self-determination for all…

This article describes a collaborative project of New Mexico's State Vocational Education Division, Department of Special Education, and Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and the University of New Mexico to develop a transition to work process for students with disabilities at three rural sites. The article describes administrative support,…

Data collected from a 2-round Delphi procedure involving model transition program directors validated the relative importance of a list of 22 employment outcomes and 65 related activities in the transition of individuals with disabilities from school to employment. Educational agencies and service providers can use the list to target areas that…

A planning procedure was developed to increase opportunities for secondary special education students to be referred to and receive appropriate community services after graduation. The procedure requires interagency cooperation and focuses on vocational placement, postsecondary education, living arrangements, mobility, and financial planning.…

The problems of Individual Education Plan (IEP) utilization with handicapped students are analyzed and compared to the developing use of Individual Transition Plans (ITP). Considered are issues of accountability, relevance, quality, feasibility, and preparedness. (DB)

This article describes service outcomes for people with disabilities, achieved by local Oregon communities during the past five years as they have implemented a community capacity building model called the Community Transition Team Model. Principles of successful programs included active participation of diverse stakeholders, change viewed as a…

This article describes LINK, a campus-based program of William Paterson College of New Jersey that bridges the interval between secondary school-leaving and full community participation for youth with mild disabilities. The paper describes student participants, undergraduate student mentors, the campus setting, program structure, student…

The Employment Retention Program is a supported employment program involved in job placement and intensive worksite training of graduating handicapped youth, emphasizing retention strategies that transfer supervision to nonhandicapped co-workers and that promote social interactions between handicapped employees and co-workers. At followup, 60…

This paper examines the qualities and limitations of information utilization in special education program planning and improvement; discusses the results of a federally funded transition follow-along and follow-up research and demonstration project in Minnesota; and describes methods for organizing, managing, and reporting follow-along and…