This manual covers thirteen different topics relevant to the education of students with disabilities in the era of educational reform and standards-based education. Sections include: (1) "Raising Standards of Learning: and Students with and Standards-Based Education Students with Disabilities" (Janet R. Vohs, Julia K. Landau, and Carolyn…

This introduction to a reference guide for early childhood special education personnel in North Dakota discusses the purpose of the guidelines, the North Dakota philosophy on the importance of early intervention programs, and quality indicators of early intervention programs. The highlighted quality indicators of early childhood programs include:…

This school-version technical manual provides an overview of the "Transition Behavior Scale-Second Edition School Version" (TBS-2 SV), an assessment that was developed to be a direct observation screening measure of behavior characteristics most predictive of behavior in society in general and employment specifically. Those students (ages 12-18)…

This volume presents 12 papers that address the increasing shift toward functional and noncategorical approaches to special education. The papers are: (1) "Origins of Categorical Special Education Services in Schools and a Rationale for Changing Them" (Jim Ysseldyke and Doug Marston); (2) "Reform Trends and System Design Alternatives" (Dan Reschly…

This paper discusses provisions of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 1997 (IDEA) and suggests strategies for maximizing existing resources in rural settings to meet the requirements of the law. The purposes of this paper are to: (1) discuss personnel preparation data relevant to ensuring that all individuals possess the necessary…

This report presents findings of a 3-year study (1995-1998) of the effects of a comprehensive system of technology services to young children with mild to severe disabilities. The system's model incorporated: (1) on-going training, follow-up and technical support for teachers, and an on-site technology support team; (2) team-based technology…

This paper presents a transcript of a National Center on Secondary Education and Transition's (NCSET's) teleconference call held on June 29, 2005. Presenters Pam Stenhjem and Megan Dushin described the Youthhood Web site (http://www.youthhood.org), NCSET's interactive Web-based curriculum developed to help young adults plan for life after high…

Recommendations on transition for youth with disabilities are presented, including partnerships between school personnel and staff from the state-federal vocational rehabilitation; one-stop career centers; federal financial support of competitive employment; professional development for postsecondary faculty; and financial incentives for…

This article calls for a rethinking of inservice education for teachers of children with disabilities as well as an investment in experimental modes of teacher renewal. Examples are presented of short-term internships where teachers are immersed in exemplary practices by host teachers in early education and school-to-adult life transition…

Analysis of data gathered on 11 young people with disabilities concerning the transition from school to adult life revealed eight main themes, such as lack of inclusive educational practices, hastily and poorly coordinated transition planning, restrictive views on employment and community living opportunities, low levels of family participation,…

This follow-up study interviewed 720 former special-education students nine months after exiting New York schools for employment, postsecondary education, and community living outcomes. Results indicate special-education program components contributing to success included work experiences, occupational education, transition planning, and…

This publication addresses basic issues related to the concept of transition as it is applied to students with disabilities in California. Following a pretest (and its answer key), the document uses a question and answer format to discuss common concerns about transition, normalization, the school role, the "Bridges" model developed by…

This study was developed to examine some possible reasons for the poor transition outcomes of students with exceptional needs even when provided with the structure and support of an Individualized Education Program, certified teachers, limited class sizes, and transition support. An extensive review of the literature precedes the research report.…

This paper describes a three-phase program which places students with disabilities into job sites in strip malls, enclosed malls, industrial parks, and individual businesses to prepare them for their transition to independent living. The paper explains that in phase 1 of the program students train at a different site each day; in phase 2, students…

This package was developed through the outreach activities of Project STEPS (Sequenced Transition to Education in the Public Schools), which developed an early childhood transition model to facilitate the development of state and community-wide systems for transition. The package covers four major component areas of transition: interagency…