Highly qualified and well-prepared transition professionals are arguably the most important piece to improve postsecondary outcomes for youth with diverse needs. A dearth of dynamic field placements for preservice teachers to connect coursework to practice has been identified as a gap in teacher training. This need could be potentially filled by…

Launched in 2011 by the Harvard Graduate School of Education and Jobs for the Future, the Pathways to Prosperity initiative is helping states create seamless transitions from high school to college and the workforce. Inspired by youth development systems that have long been in place in other high-performing nations--such as Australia, Switzerland,…

Highlights are offered of one district's 7 years of experience with a Walkabout program. Steps found to accelerate individual effectiveness among adolescents include building confidence, responsibility, attitude, and skills. These steps have also been appled to adults in seminars for teachers and administrators, a school improvement process, and…

The Community Observation Project in Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania) has helped more than 100 secondary students with disabilities to learn prevocational skills and behaviors through observation and hands-on experience at 20 local businesses. Details of program implementation, including recordkeeping forms, are provided. (DB)

This article discusses components of instruction for gifted students that stress real-world-based, school-to-work transition learning. Student needs are noted such as multi-potentiality, personal expectations versus those of others, and pressure to conform. Recommendations address mentoring, career education, self-determination, leadership skills,…

A summer program at Ambleside (England) works with adolescents who are at risk of becoming disaffected with life. Challenging outdoor activities increase students' self-esteem and keep them in contact with education, training, or employment. Good facilities and a pleasant environment can contribute to meeting objectives, but facilitators'…

This report examines how the "good practice" model of work-based learning (WBL) and its tools can be used with students having learning difficulties and disabilities. The model is a partnership model involving three prime partners: production professionals (employers), learning professionals (trainers and teachers), and the…

This article identifies similarities in structures and practices between early intervention with infants and young children with disabilities and secondary/transition programs for adolescents and young adults with developmental delays or disabilities. These include horizontally administered, community-referenced, and consumer-driven services;…

The term "contextual learning" refers to the type of learning that has also been called experiential learning, real-world education, active learning, and learner-centered instruction. Unlike traditional school learning, which is based on the principles of individual learning in a manner that is independent of tools and dependent on…

This guide is intended to provide teachers of student with disabilities with resources, ideas, and procedures in implementing community-based instruction (CBI). The first chapter defines CBI, explains its importance, differentiates CBI from field trips, discusses appropriate CBI participants and stakeholders, and reviews the research on CBI.…

The Eckerd Wilderness Educational System provides emotionally disturbed children with alternative education in a year-round wilderness camp setting. Journal availability: see RC 503 504. (SB)

This document is designed to provide practical suggestions to help Alaska's teachers and administrators plan, initiate, operate, and evaluate cooperative vocational education (co-op) and on-the-job training (OJT) at the secondary level. Section 1 states the purposes of co-op and OJT programs and what such programs provide. Section 2 gives a…

This handbook is part of a packet intended to aid educators, families, and adult service providers to facilitate the transition from school to adult life in the community for students with both cognitive disabilities and visual or dual sensory impairments. Emphasis is on transition planning and community based instruction, including vocational…

This business education journal contains two articles and three class activities related to teaching business skills relevant to today's economy. The first article, "Skills for a Changing Economy," provides an overview of the skills needed in today's business environment. According to the article, as many as half of recent high school graduates…

Australia's system for helping youths make a successful transition from initial vocational education and training (VET) to working life was assessed through an analysis that focused on the following features that were identified by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) as contributing to successful transitions: learning…