Phenomenological design was used in this research to determine the experiences, opinions and suggestions of the stakeholders in the Individualized Education Program (IEP) development team during the IEP preparation process. Nine parents 20 teachers and a school administrator who were in the IEP team and took part in the IEP preparation process…

Parental involvement and parent-school-community partnerships receive wide acclaim for making a positive difference in the educational and transition outcomes for youth with and without disabilities. Although the impact of parental involvement in education remains undisputed, secondary education traditionally emphasizes the emerging adult…

Establishing effective transition programs for students entering high school is an ongoing process. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore best practices transition programs employ to aid student's success. The participants in this study were six administrators chosen from a population of administrators at 60 central Indiana high…

The article describes a highly successful series of workshops which was begun in 1973 in London, Ontario to explore issues critical to secondary schools. The article explains the workshop objectives, organization, results, evaluation, and cost. It describes in detail the format of the two to three-day workshops. (SB)

Twelve papers describe recent developments at the Model Secondary School for the Deaf (MSSD) on the campus of Gallaudet College. Topics covered include the following: MSSD'S role as a change model; an Instrumental Enrichment project designed to increase adolescents' thinking skills; an approach integrating reading, English grammar, and composition…

Presents a variety of parent programs, projects, and activities that have been successful in involving parents in their adolescents' reading and reading achievement. (HOD)

Drawing from research and practice, this article describes some benefits of interdisciplinary curriculum, identifies implementation barriers, and underscores the principal's pivotal role. Each principal must be visionary and knowledgeable; function as cheerleader and coach; and provide opportunities for teachers, students, and parents to develop…

This module describes methods for creating and improving vocational programs for special needs learners. It also provides a list of resources available to educators and parents working with vocational programs. The guide includes a list of definitions and uses a question-and-answer format to provide information on the importance of vocational…

A driver education program which integrated professional in-class instruction with parent-supervised on-road driving practice is described. Major sections deal with instructional materials development and pilot testing. The program was planned in two levels: MP (model program, with full parental participation including meetings with instructors)…

A sex education outreach program emphasizing values, moral reasoning, and approaches to problem solving was developed in response to the rise in teenage pregnancies. Aspects of the sex education program structure included: (1) decision making regarding sex; (2) contraception; (3) parental involvement; (4) outreach volunteer training; and (5)…

How to build and support the Empowering School is explained. The Empowering School is one in which caring adults empower students to learn to hold meaningful jobs, to enjoy close relationships with caring adults, and to learn to communicate in positive ways. The Empowering School is also a center for social service. Part 1 of this book describes…

To share information with parents of resource room students, special education teachers developed programs involving panel discussions, guest speakers, films, etc. Subsequently, a program for secondary-level resource room students was also developed, with panel presentations and group discussions. Lists of discussion topics and guidelines for…

Representatives were surveyed from 36 parent training programs dealing with school-to-adult-life transition, to identify practices which appeared to correlate strongly with positive outcomes for parents, professionals, and children/youth with special needs. Strategies which were identified as essential to parent/professional collaborative training…

This project was designed to identify effective parent/professional collaborative training strategies related to transition. Following a review of the literature on collaborative efforts, methodology is presented for a survey of 36 programs. The survey addressed four key areas: elements related to the type and level of training, demographic…

This transition model, called Guiding Education toward Adult Roles for Success (GEARS), provides a comprehensive framework from which transition services and programs can evolve. Three components of transition services are considered: transition partners, the transition process, and adult outcomes. After an introduction, the report's second…