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…

This comprehensive review of policies and programs designed to support youth transitioning out of foster care spans all 50 states and the District of Columbia. As part of the review, Chapin Hall administered a web-based survey of state independent living services coordinators to collect up-to-date information about their state's policies and…

The purpose of this report is to provide policymakers, primarily at the federal and state levels, with information about youth with disabilities in foster care, so that policymakers can begin to understand the characteristics of this population; the challenges they face; how they fare with regard to safety, permanency, self-determination and…

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…

This report to Congress examines issues in the transition of students with disabilities into postsecondary education or employment. Major findings are: (1) most IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) youth complete high school, but data on transitions are limited; (2) problems impeding the transition of IDEA youth into postsecondary…

This policy update presents key aspects of the statutory language of the School-to-Work Opportunities Act of 1994 (Public Law 103-239), which provides states and localities with federal funds to be used as venture capital to underwrite the initial costs of planning and establishing statewide School-to-Work Opportunities systems. The paper focuses…

This congressional report contains testimony given at an oversight hearing on the termination of the Community Services Administration (CSA) and the subsequent transition to the community services block grant program. Among those organizations and agencies represented at the hearing were the following: the National Community Action Agency; the…

Describes the policy context and current status of the State Systems Change Initiative on Transition for Youth with Disabilities. This federal initiative has helped states to improve school-to-work transition services under one-time five-year grants undertaken as cooperative efforts between state education and vocational rehabilitation (or other)…

This paper documents the gap between the supply of and demand for adult services in each state of the United States, places this situation in its political context to explain why this gap exists, and discusses policy alternatives. The paper profiles the nature of the population of individuals with disabilities exiting public education and examines…

The Secondary Transition Intervention Effectiveness Institute studies issues related to secondary education and transitional services for individuals with special needs. This third annual report offers an overview of secondary transitional services in the United States by Jane Dowling. Papers describing preliminary findings of the Institute's…

This conference proceedings report focuses on the theme of "lifelong transitions" in the context of strengthening linkages between the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services and parents and families of special needs students throughout the United States. Section 1 includes the following presentations: "Lifelong…

Major policy, management, and program issues face the Congress and new administration in the area of labor. Many of the nation's youth are leaving school poorly prepared for the new work world. The nation already has a large group of economically disadvantaged people who lack necessary skills. Annually, 900,000 or more workers are at least…

This resource manual lists and describes research projects, federally funded between 1989-91, that focus on children, youth, and families living with chronic illness and disabilities. The projects were supported by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, the Bureau of Maternal and Child Health, the Child and Adolescent…

This final report discusses the outcomes of a policy research study designed to improve decision making during the reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Issues were identified and policy briefs were developed on: (1) the federal financial formula for special education; (2) the role of economic and demographic…