Seventy-four special educators who were involved in transition-related activities rated the importance of 30 transition-related teacher competencies. All competencies were identified by the majority of respondents as important. Competencies related to teaching money management skills and involving parents received the highest ratings. (Contains…

A mother discusses her family's experience in transitioning her daughter from early intervention services to an early childhood program. Helpful strategies that the early childhood staff used are identified and include introducing families to teachers during the transition process and allowing parents to visit the program before sending their…

This article synthesizes descriptions of and recommendations for community transition teams which assist in the transition of youth with learning or other disabilities from school to adult life. The levels, composition, and functions of transition teams are described. Community-level transition teams are shown to be critical support vehicles for…

This article reviews the current literature on the assessment of students with disabilities with emphasis on evaluating student needs and preferences for transition services as required by federal legislation. Analyses of studies reported in 11 articles are summarized. The review indicates a lack of consensus on the most appropriate ways to assess…

A concerted effort is needed to identify employer involvement in special education transition efforts. More research on employer involvement and dissemination of findings are needed. Employer involvement should happen throughout the transition process, not just at the end of it. (JOW)

A study involving four teachers and preschool children with mild disabilities found transition-based teaching did not substantially alter the duration of transitions for teachers or children, did not appear to interfere with other teacher responsibilities during transitions, and produced increases in children's target behaviors. (Author/CR)

Urges transition teams to have stronger interaction with school counselors, who possess expertise in assessment and planning for success in post-school domain. A Transition Intervention Model for School Counselors is provided that offers possible systemic alternatives that facilitate access to counselor expertise within transition-team structures.…

A study that reviewed 329 Individualized Transition Plans (ITPs) found ITPs generally followed the requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, however, they were less likely to address additional transition areas suggested in Louisiana's transitional planning menu, including living arrangements, homemaking needs, financial…

A study analyzed the extent to which states implemented the transition services required by federal law during the 1993-94 through 1996-97 monitoring cycles. Results found many are not inviting students to their Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings and that 50 percent did not have statements of needed transition services (Individualized…

The purpose of this article is to identify the factors affecting retention of college students with disabilities, examine the issues related to transition planning from secondary to postsecondary education, and explore the utility of the universal design concept to the retention of students. Further, promising practices will be shared along with…

Transition from secondary education to adulthood represents a period during which adolescents with disabilities face multiple responsibilities and changing roles that include establishing independence, attending postsecondary education or training, developing social networks, choosing a career, participating in their communities, and managing…

This article describes an innovative school-to-work transition program incorporating identified best practices. Iowa's Super Senior program serves students in the "middle range" of the disability severity spectrum during the student's senior and 5th, or "Super Senior" year. The article describes the program elements, presents…

This research synthesis identifies critical aspects of curriculum as they relate to the successful school-to-work transition of students with disabilities. The first section provides basic information on transition and covers the goal of transition, its framework, the transition process, and school personnel involvement. The second section reviews…

This executive summary of a research synthesis on critical aspects of curricular tools for successful transition from school to work for students with disabilities provides a brief discussion of the topics addressed in the full report, including: (1) the foundation for transition, including the goals and target populations; (2) a review of…

The A.I.M. (Avondale Integrative Model) Program of Avondale School District in Auburn Hills, Michigan, is a developmental, language-based, preschool program, combining federally funded Head Start and district-funded Pre-Primary Impaired programs. The program is designed to utilize a developmentally appropriate curriculum in order to successfully…