Although disabled students need the same comprehensive assistance in making the transition from school to work as their nondisabled counterparts, most disabled youth, and particulary those with severe disabilities, do not receive adequate assistance in this area. This situation can be remedied by approaching the transition to employment as a…

The goal of transition planning is to bridge the gap between the mandated special education services provided by public schools and the entitlement systems under which adult services operate. This paper is designed to assist parents in understanding the transition planning process. In a question-and-answer format, information is presented to…

As part of a series of topic papers assessing federal laws and programs affecting persons with disabilities, this paper focuses on employment programs and initiatives. Described are (1) the transition model of the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS), which emphasizes a solid educational foundation and adequate…

The manual presents intervention strategies designed by Project MEDIA (Middle and Elementary Direct Instruction Alternatives) to aid the transition of both nonhandicapped and mainstreamed handicapped students from elementary (K-5) to middle (6-8) school. The manual is divided into six sections with topics of specific problem areas alphabetized…

This issue of "Transition Summary" contains articles about self-determination and becoming a good self-advocate, with each article reflecting the experience of someone who has grown up with a disability. "The Many Facets of Self-Determination" (Michael Ward) discusses the concept of self-determination; offers an historical perspective of the…

The goal of Project VAST (Virginia's Approach to Services for Transitioning) is to develop, implement, and evaluate a model at both state and local levels which ensures that students with disabilities who move through Virginia's public school programs and into the community will receive transitional services focusing on career preparation,…

A developing concern in Minnesota for the fact that a greater percentage of special needs students than non-special needs students tends to drop out of postsecondary vocational education prompted a project to promote articulation--transition--for these students into postsecondary education. A statewide survey was conducted to determine current…

A summer vocational interest exploration workshop was developed by Montgomery County (Maryland) Public Schools for handicapped students aged 14-19. Students developed their basic and social skills and gained understanding of career opportunities as they worked in simulated job environments in food services, business, building/grounds maintenance,…

Preparing disabled students for transition to productive adult lives involves careful planning between sending and receiving agencies. The article describes state and school district transition programs, emphasizing interagency planning teams (Oregon), cross-agency coordination and ninth grade vocational assessments (Minnesota), and field-testing…

This report discusses the transition from early intervention services (EI) to preschool services (ECSE), which presents many challenges to children, families, service providers, and programs. The needs and preferences of families from culturally and linguistically diverse groups pose additional challenges. The report reviews the DEC Recommended…

This handbook is designed to help teachers create a transition portfolio that will accompany the student with mild to severe disabilities to new classrooms and schools, and convey special needs, accommodations, and other vital information to a new team of teachers. It offers practical details on gathering critical information and tips on what to…

These two newsletter issues of the National Transition Alliance (NTA) for Youth with Disabilities present articles concerning the transition of youth with disabilities from school-to-work (STW) and related informational items. The first issue contains the following articles: "Contextual Learning" (analysis of one of the five categories…

This study examined: (1) the current level and quality of participation by students with disabilities in the Individualized Education Program (IEP)/transition planning process and annual meetings; (2) the extent to which teachers expect and enable special education students to participate in that process; and (3) factors that may foster or…

This final report describes the activities and accomplishments of a federally funded project designed to develop a community-wide interagency service delivery model for facilitating the successful transition of handicapped children from preschool programs to the least restrictive environment in the public schools. The model addresses four major…

This report provides updated information on how transition policies for New York students with disabilities are being implemented in Buffalo, New York City, Rochester, Syracuse, and Yonkers. It summarizes the findings about former students' post-school employment, postsecondary education, and community living status, and identifies the program…