In 2010, the authors shared a Civic Marshall Plan to create a Grad Nation. Through that first report and subsequent update, they saw hopeful signs of progress in boosting high school graduation rates in communities across the country. This 2012 report shows that high school graduation rates continue to improve nationally and across many states and…

This 2012 report shows that high school graduation rates continue to improve nationally and across many states and school districts, with 12 states accounting for the majority of new graduates over the last decade. Tennessee and New York continue to lead the nation with double-digit gains in high school graduation rates over the same period. The…

Beginning your college education means you'll be exploring a new place, making new friends, learning new things and setting your own priorities. You are going to face a lot of big changes in a short time. That's exciting--and challenging. The more prepared you are for college when you get there, the more ready you'll be to address these new…

In 1998, Congress authorized the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) program. The purpose of the program is to foster increased knowledge, expectations, and preparation for postsecondary education among low-income students and their families. GEAR UP projects may provide services to students, parents and…

The School-to-Work Opportunities Act (1994) was designed to provide grants to states and local school districts aiming to help all students explore careers and create work-based-learning opportunities linked to academic course work. This article underlines the need for parent support and describes several districts' implementation efforts. (MLH)

To address disabled students' troubling outcomes, the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services identified school-to-work transition as a major priority. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act mandates that transition services be part of secondary students' IEPs. Principals' and parents'…

This policy update provides an overview of the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program as it applies to youth with disabilities at the time of their transition from high school. The paper defines "disabled individual" and "substantial gainful work," outlines how income and resources are identified for determining…

Presented are the proceedings of a conference addressing program initiatives established through Public Law 98-199, which declares that educators must provide quality programs and a continuum of services for handicapped youth through and beyond high school. Section A consists of the invited presentations that were made at the conference. In…

This information brief examines use of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) of 1998 to address the transition needs of youth with disabilities. WIA funds a range of training, career development, and job placement services for diverse clients in one-stop centers. WIA contains specific provisions that support the participation of youth with…

This review of the 1989 Student Initiated Research and Field Initiated Research transition proposals considers the practical value of federally funded transition research. Proposals are analyzed by such criteria as importance, technical soundness, personnel, impact, and budget. Of a total of 54 proposals competitively approved, 5 dealt with…

Examines shortcomings of the traditional high school special education curriculum and highlights a curriculum designed to assist students with mild disabilities in their transition to adulthood. The curriculum emphasizes problem solving and self-advocacy and includes components on daily living, personal/social, occupational exploration, and…

This article summarizes intervention activities and participant outcomes from a five-year federally funded project that prepared students with learning disabilities for transition to postsecondary education. Project participants demonstrated higher first-year postsecondary retention rates than the student population and gained skills in many…

This resource guide profiles 12 exemplary programs serving people with disabilities through interagency collaboration for transition, supported employment, and parent-professional collaboration. The guide opens with a description of the North Central Regional Information Exchange, a federally funded project that is identifying and promoting…

This document is a directory of current and newly expired projects funded under the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services Secondary Education and Transition Initiative. Projects included address the following areas: self-determination projects, family networking projects, follow-up and follow-along projects, training and…

This directory describes current and newly expired projects funded under the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services' Secondary Education and Transition Initiative. An introduction describes the Transition Initiative and the role of the Transition Institute at the University of Illinois. A series of one-page case studies describes…