This report describes an exploratory evaluative assessment of the first year of 2 alternative public schools for 117 chronically disruptive, committed, and/or non-attending students (grades 6-12) in Georgia. The CrossRoads program is intended to provide students with the social services, individualized instruction, and/or transitions to other…

This newsletter theme issue describes a state-local team partnership model for interagency transition efforts for young adults with deaf-blindness. Excepts from a presentation by Jane M. Everson identify key aspects and characteristics of effective state and local interagency partnerships. These include: (1) strategies for initiating and…

The West Virginia Education Association and the Appalachia Educational Laboratory formed a study group to examine transition activities used in West Virginia by preschool, Head Start, kindergarten, and early intervention programs. The study group members developed a program identification form and a program description form, which were…

This paper examines how creative thinking techniques can be used to help rural educators provide effective transition programs and services to secondary students. Factors affecting transition in rural areas include a small, homogenous economic base; travel time and distance between job sites; lack of services and trained staff; the community role…

The Wisdom Is Now (Project WIN) was designed to increase student English proficiency, native language proficiency, and academic achievement, increase parent involvement, and encourage staff development at the High School for the Humanities and the School of Fashion industries in New York City. It served a total of 349 students of limited English…

This background paper seeks to clarify the concept of transition for students with severe disabilities and to describe New Hampshire's response to the federal school-to-work initiatives. A conceptual framework is presented for linking educational outcomes more closely with improved adult life expectations. The framework seeks to encourage local…

An examination of the effectiveness of programs for limited-English proficient (LEP) students in the Austin Independent School District (AISD) derived information on LEP student counts, programs and services for LEP students, program costs, and LEP student achievement. Information indicated that the count of LEP students was growing (3,042 in…

This study sought to identify the barriers that negatively impact the ability of disabled youth to successfully make a transition from school into employment and a quality adult life, and sought to specifically define organizational disincentives to successful transition. Current research is reviewed relating to organizational barriers to…

Project CAPABLE, in its first year of funding, provided instruction in English as a Second Language (ESL) and native language skills, as well as bilingual instruction in science and social studies, to approximately 500 Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese students in grades 9-12. The program operated at three sites in the New York City borough of…

This evaluation of the Kentucky Preschool Program (KPP) focused on two broad areas: (1) readiness for kindergarten; and (2) promotion of language and literacy in the classroom and at home. Key findings include the following: (1) most children who were ineligible because of family income status successfully transitioned to kindergarten; (2) several…

Provides a summary of seven eras reflecting the philosophical perspectives that have influenced the treatment of handicapped individuals in the past. Issues concerning the integration of handicapped people into the community are reviewed. A conceptual framework for examining factors that influence service delivery is provided. (Author/BJV)

Reviews some of the major developments in teaching and training relevant community skills to mentally retarded persons. The following adaptive skills are discussed: (1) toilet use and bed wetting; (2) eating, dressing, and personal hygiene; (3) community survival; and (4) vocational and social skills. (BJV)

Rossell's critique of the Walsh and Carballo (1986) study of five bilingual education programs in Massachusetts is marred by a number of problems, here identified. (BJV)

As a statewide initiative, New Jersey has been hosting teen leadership conferences for students with disabilities. The focus of the conferences is to address skills necessary to be successful in school and for transition to life after high school. The conferences are held throughout New Jersey at universities and colleges. Students with…

Teachers and community in a small rural Maori-medium school in New Zealand were concerned that their students who were highly literate in Maori experienced difficulties in reading and writing in English on entry to secondary school (where English was the medium of instruction). Consequently, this school and community introduced a 10-week…