A vocational transition model for disabled youth focuses on three stages: (1) school instruction (functional curriculum, community-based education), (2) planning for the transition process (involving parents and adult service representatives), and (3) placement into meaningful employment. (CL)

The essay critically examines the transition model proposed by the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services and summarizes a recent study of secondary special education, focusing upon needed improvement. Recommendations are offered for modifying the basic model of transition, and for improving high school programs as foundations of…

Transition experts (n=149) ranked barriers to achieving social integration of individuals with disabilities and identified areas of consensus on social integration outcomes and interventions related to youths' transition from school to employment. Experts agreed that social integration is a multidimensional concept, indicating that varying…

The economic, educational, and community adjustment difficulties of youth with handicaps are reviewed in the context of historical antecedents and of the U.S. Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services' transition initiative. The conceptual and organizational frameworks for the University of Illinois' federally sponsored Transition…

This study of 422 students with disabilities and 107 without examined the extent to which the instructional components and skill outcomes associated with school-to-work programs predict better postschool outcomes for students. Findings provide general support for the school-based and work-based instructional components. Implications for practice…

The article describes the Utah Community-Based Transition Project, a federally funded project on transition planning for severely disabled youth. The planning process is aimed at facilitating coordination and expansion of community services for each graduate. Barriers facing states as they attempt to implement effective transition planning models…

The improvement of transition services for handicapped youth through effective management strategies in service planning and coordination is proposed. Current barriers include conflicting policy goals, eligibility criteria, and funding patterns. Needed are consistent policy development, formulation of effective management strategies, and…

The article presents a cooperative interagency approach for assessing effectiveness of programs and services to facilitate the transition of handicapped students from school to adult community living. Features of the model include cooperative planning at the policy level, implementation level, and direct service level; and collaboration by state…

Presents results of a policy study of implementation of the transition mandates of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Five "model sites" and four "representative sites" were identified and visited. Results of the cross-case analysis focus on factors supporting and posing challenges to implementation. (Author/DB)

This follow-up study of 227 individuals with learning disabilities who had attended vocational-technical programs found that there was a high employment level for both disabled and control group students, but the types of jobs and earning levels did not match well with their training and anticipated incomes. (Author/JDD)

The Teaching Research Transition Planning Project (Oregon) is implementing and evaluating the development of school/community teams to facilitate transition of handicapped students into the community. Preliminary evaluation results support the value of an outside stimulus to encourage collaboration, locally generated plans, and policy decision…

This paper conceptualizes transition as an outcome-oriented process leading to quality of life for individuals with disabilities. The paper discusses theoretical issues pertaining to the definition and conceptualization of quality of life, research findings in this area, and issues that should be addressed in the future. (Author/JDD)

The 1980s movement for improved transition of handicapped youth from school to work is considered in light of similar previous movements: (1) the career education movement of the 1970s and (2) the work/study movement of the 1960s. The influence of broad social issues (such as educational reform) on outcomes for the transition movement is stressed.…

An interview with four leaders (L. Brown, A. Halpern, S. Hasazi, and P. Wehman) on the conceptualization and implementation of transition programming for handicapped students focuses on such issues as the role of political factors, the possibility of effective school/adult service agency coordination, the importance of social skills, and emerging…

This comment on "Transition Issues for the 1990s" (Knowlton and Clark, 1987) argues that transition program professionals should focus on providing services rather than the labeling of handicapped persons and that transition program objectives should focus on employment, rather than such outcomes as independent living and social networking. (JDD)