Examines whether some of the most common assessment tools used in foster care programs are capable of identifying young peoples' competencies, strengths, and weakness. Describes the limited role assessment presently plays in foster care and its potential as a policy tool to promote accountability and interest in the independent living skills of…

Discusses changes in leaving care in England and Wales, based on a survey of young people leaving the care of social service departments that examined diversity of care leavers; care careers; age at independence; living out of care; and after-care support. Summarizes key policy and practice issues, and outlines new directions for practice and…

A New York school district was forced to consider a grade-level reorganization or possible school closing, primarily resulting from severe economic pressures. Describes the advantages and disadvantages of reorganizing 2 K-5 elementary schools into a K-2 primary school and a 3-5 intermediate school. Cites four basic reasons frequently offered to…

A 13-week developmental studies course offered at an Australian college and designed to help disadvantaged women make the transition to higher education, focused on both academic and nonacademic requirements for successful college study. Participants experienced significant changes in styles of learning and decision making. (MSE)

The University of Hawaii Department of Special Education conducted the Preschool Preparation and Transition Project, a federally funded demonstration program, to support families and their children with special needs in the transition from infant programs to least restrictive preschool placements. The program addressed this goal through three…

This study identified the nature and frequency of contacts that case managers had with families and adult service providers for 90 young adults with developmental disabilities during school-to-community transition. Frequency of contacts was examined by participants' gender, type of disability, and placement outcomes. (JDD)

This article examines vocational programing for students with disabilities in the context of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Trends are identified in transition, technology and worksite modification, and employment of people with disabilities. The new law's requirements concerning employment, public accommodations, transportation, state and…

Outlines planning procedures and strategies that enable special education supervisors to fit work transition programs for disabled students to local circumstances. Discusses school and community needs assessment to establish program goals; alternative program models; and planning imperatives related to knowledge of the community, staff background,…

Discusses deficits in social development and communication skills among hearing-impaired persons. Proposes a model of life-skills training for hearing-impaired first-year college students that encompasses access and use of student support services, mastery of daily living skills, and enhancement of self-concept and social skills. Describes…

Addresses the role of higher education in responding to the academic and developmental needs of underprepared students. Describes some common characteristics of underprepared students. Explores the options of meeting the needs of these students with integrated versus separate services, presenting arguments for both sides. Discusses role of student…

Examines ways to help boys and afternoon attenders to experience as positive a start to nursery education as girls and morning attenders. Highlights adults' key role in helping children develop personal and social skills and the need for home/school partnership. Discusses the implications of gender for play and classroom organization. (nine…

This paper points out that one way to infuse self-determination skill training into a comprehensive transition program is to teach students with disabilities to direct and manage their own Individualized Education Program. The transition policy of the Academic School District in Colorado Springs (Colorado) is presented as a model. (JDD)

A study examined how a student teaching program that emphasized the need for gradual transition into teaching, guidance, and support to student teachers affected individuals' experiences and performance. Daily logs, weekly logs, grade point averages, and student evaluations indicated significant diversity in student teaching experiences for…

Describes Alberta, Canada's Initiation to Teaching Project, which addressed beginning teachers' inadequate practical skills, eased the transition to full-time professional work, and reduced teacher unemployment and underemployment. Project evaluation revealed that most participants considered it a valuable induction scheme that resulted in…

Special-entry summer schools at Scottish universities facilitate access to higher education for students who lack qualifications usually required for entrance. Evidence suggests that the scheme successfully meets its aims, but systematic research into the initiative's long-term effects would be valuable, particularly with regard to areas of social…