While assessments of general social proficiency constructs are numerous in the ASD literature, and in the special education literature more broadly, investigations of the latent structure(s) of "vocational-specific" social proficiency constructs have yet to receive serious empirical investigation. Furthermore, trends in this literature…

This handbook spells out the steps necessary in an effective evaluation of secondary/transition interventin projects for handicapped youth. Initial steps in the evaluation process include describing the evaluation setting, identifying evaluation audiences, stating the evaluation rationale, determining evaluation questions, and identifying…

This article provides a brief introduction to transition assessment for students with disabilities and then lists 43 references (published from 1988 through 1996) pertaining to transition assessment or vocational assessment. (CR)

Discusses the need for all secondary students, particularly individuals with disabilities, to undergo transition assessment. Topics discussed include the definition and purpose of transition assessment, policies that facilitate the provision of assessment services, and an overview of the methods and people involved in the transition assessment…

The Transition Institute at the University of Illinois analyzed 15 studies that had identified effective or exemplary transition programs for students with disabilities. The analysis revealed 107 key elements associated with effectiveness or exemplary program status, including variables in career/vocational training, systematic interdisciplinary…

Describes an attempt to evaluate the Transition Systems Change Initiative despite geographically dispersed program sites and different program goals, activities, and impacts. The design focused on common impacts and unique accomplishments of the projects by making maximum use of existing data. Project directors were involved in planning,…

Part of a series, this document reports on a study to determine the current status of instrumentation and practices of student assessment in programs concerned with the transition of secondary special education students from school to work or to postsecondary education. The study surveyed the 114 federally funded (Office of Special Education 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…

The 10 papers in this book attempt to provide some creative approaches to assessment of individuals with disabilities as they transition from the school experience to the adult world. The papers are: (1) "For Whom the Test Is Scored: Assessments, the School Experience, and More" (Douglas Fisher and Caren L. Sax); (2) "Person-Centered Planning:…

To make a smooth transition to a fulfilling, self-determined adult life, young people who use Augmentative-Alternative Communication (AAC) need effective services that meet their individual needs and make the most of advances in technology. Professionals will provide these critical supports with the help of this book, the first complete guide to…

This second volume of an annotated bibliography on transition from school to work focuses on evaluation methodology, efficacy of secondary and transitional services, and related topics. The bibliography's scope includes English-language journal articles, books, and reports, originally published from 1977 through 1987. For each of the 368 entries,…

A future-based assessment/intervention model is proposed for improved programing for students with mental retardation. The model is an extension of curriculum-based assessment but takes into consideration students' abilities and individual goals and objectives. The assessment model is linked closely with instruction and is particularly valuable…

This monograph presents a compilation and analysis of published reviews of 142 commercially available assessment instruments and practices relevant for use in transition planning for students with disabilities. An introductory paper describes the data collection and analysis process involved in the review of instruments. It notes that analysis of…

Describes a transitional program for students who are deaf that begins in upper elementary grades and continues until they graduate from high school. Various vocational evaluation instruments used are identified by type, and examples of individualized education program goals and objectives related to transition are provided. (CR)

This article discusses the inclusion of systematic preference assessment within transitional planning as a way to accurately interpret the preferences of students who use limited symbolic or nonsymbolic communication means. By using person-centered planning as a framework, it illustrates how to embed preference assessment within transitional…