In this preregistered study, we confirmed a transition-planning construct and determined its relationship with an established economic-hardship construct using parent- and youth-reported data from the National Longitudinal Transition Study 2012 and following established quality indicators of preregistered secondary data analyses studies.…

The authors of this article analyzed data from the National Longitudinal Transition Study-2 to determine the effect of receiving transition planning education and having a transition plan that specified needed postsecondary accommodations on the receipt of disability-specific services and generally available supports at the postsecondary level by…

Secondary data analysis using the National Longitudinal Transition Study-2 data set was conducted to examine the degree to which autonomy, psychological empowerment, and self-realization (3 of 4 essential characteristics of self-determination) play a mediating role in the relationship between school-based factors and postschool outcomes. The…

Research suggests that the academic achievement of deaf and hard-of-hearing (DHH) students is the result of a complex interplay of many factors. These factors include characteristics of the students (e.g., hearing thresholds, language fluencies, mode of communication, and communication functioning), characteristics of their family environments…

Youth with disabilities face many barriers in making the transition from high school to stable long-term employment. Researchers used case study methodology to examine the career development process and postschool employment outcomes for a sample of individuals with disabilities who were working in living wage occupations 7 to 10 years after…

A vocational transition model for disabled youth focuses on three stages: (1) school instruction (functional curriculum, community-based education), (2) planning for the transition process (involving parents and adult service representatives), and (3) placement into meaningful employment. (CL)

The essay critically examines the transition model proposed by the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services and summarizes a recent study of secondary special education, focusing upon needed improvement. Recommendations are offered for modifying the basic model of transition, and for improving high school programs as foundations of…

Peer-monitoring and self-monitoring procedures were developed to decrease disruption and nonparticipation during transition activities of a kindergarten class with 10 children with behavior and/or learning problems. Results suggested that classroom management can be achieved through carefully developed routines with clear instructions paired with…

Transition experts (n=149) ranked barriers to achieving social integration of individuals with disabilities and identified areas of consensus on social integration outcomes and interventions related to youths' transition from school to employment. Experts agreed that social integration is a multidimensional concept, indicating that varying…

The economic, educational, and community adjustment difficulties of youth with handicaps are reviewed in the context of historical antecedents and of the U.S. Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services' transition initiative. The conceptual and organizational frameworks for the University of Illinois' federally sponsored Transition…

This study of 422 students with disabilities and 107 without examined the extent to which the instructional components and skill outcomes associated with school-to-work programs predict better postschool outcomes for students. Findings provide general support for the school-based and work-based instructional components. Implications for practice…

The improvement of transition services for handicapped youth through effective management strategies in service planning and coordination is proposed. Current barriers include conflicting policy goals, eligibility criteria, and funding patterns. Needed are consistent policy development, formulation of effective management strategies, and…

The article presents a cooperative interagency approach for assessing effectiveness of programs and services to facilitate the transition of handicapped students from school to adult community living. Features of the model include cooperative planning at the policy level, implementation level, and direct service level; and collaboration by state…

A survey of 1,450 special education administrators showed that most local education agencies (LEAs) offer vocational programs for handicapped youth, while transition-oriented services are not as frequently available, particularly in smaller LEAs. Community employment opportunities and the availability of adult services were related to availability…

Presents results of a policy study of implementation of the transition mandates of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Five "model sites" and four "representative sites" were identified and visited. Results of the cross-case analysis focus on factors supporting and posing challenges to implementation. (Author/DB)