Given recent increased attention to teacher evaluation, it is imperative to understand the expertise teachers need to educate students with severe disabilities. In this grounded theory study, the authors interviewed nine special education faculty who specialize in severe disabilities about the job-related skills and qualities exhibited by expert…

We first conducted a synthesis of literature to identify essential transition teacher competencies to guide curriculum development for a personnel preparation program. The synthesis yielded a list of 67 competencies needed by transition teachers. Using the 67 competencies, we next created an electronic survey in which respondents were asked to…

The report describes a technical assistance (TA) project in Minnesota designed to provide an information exchange system for educator and support personnel serving students with severe handicaps. Professionals (N=142) serving severely handicapped students responded to a survey form. Analyses of the surveys resulted in 132 individuals keynoted as…

This study identified various direct and indirect strategies for financing supported employment, based on discussions with individuals in Minnesota and across the United States, reviewed supported employment efforts in selected states, conducted a review of literature, and explored related initiatives in other health and human service areas. Key…

This monograph presents lessons learned from the five-year (1992-97) project, Together We're Better, a federally funded systems change project focused on inclusion of children with severe disabilities in Minnesota schools and communities. The project identified six focus areas: (1) district partnerships, (2) personnel preparation and development,…

Interviews with 17 educators in the St. Cloud Community Schools, Minnesota, examined how inclusive schooling for students with moderate-to-severe disabilities was initiated. Findings indicated that individuals were central to the change process; meaning and value were of greater importance than structure; and effective teaching extended beyond…

This paper reviews problems and recommendations related to the transition of youth from school to work following special education programs in Minnesota. The results of several state-wide studies are reported. The studies include: (1) a review of the employment status of former special education students, (2) a survey of needs, (3) a study of the…

These profiles of Minnesota individuals with severe disabilities were developed as part of an evaluation of the impact of supported employment on their lives. The profiles describe individuals who have severe disabilities, who receive assistance from a wide variety of programs, and who were evaluated through both qualitative and quantitative…

This report is based on a site visit to a private, for-profit agency that provides community support services to people with severe disabilities in six counties in Minnesota. The organization supports 25 families in its in-home program and 35 people in supportive and semi-independent living services. Services offered include minor physical…

This paper reports on Minnesota's efforts to implement supported employment projects, and reports on community-based vocational activities provided by day training and habilitation centers in 1986. A survey was conducted of 96 providers of adult services throughout the state of Minnesota. Seventy-eight returned completed surveys with information…

This "feature issue" reports on major shifts in attitudes, practices, and policies that have led to the growth of supported employment programs for people with disabilities, with special focus on the situation in Minnesota. It contains the following articles: "To the Year 2000 and Beyond: Jobs Won't Be the Problem" (David R.…