Discusses literature for transitional readers (8 to 11 year olds who can read fairly lengthy stories independently, but need to sharpen and extend reading comprehension and critical thinking skills). Outlines developmental characteristics of these readers, and characteristics of the literature they tend to favor. Includes references to 73…

This article discusses current transition issues facing teachers and educational diagnosticians working in rural settings with disabled populations. Barriers to successful assessment and programing (financial factors, human factors, and visibility) are noted and seven suggestions offered for implementing a transition assessment and programing…

This paper reviews literature concerning best practices in facilitating transition from school to work or postsecondary education for secondary students with disabilities. Practices cited frequently included vocational training, parent involvement, interagency collaboration and service delivery, social skills training, paid work experience, and…

The Transition Institute at the University of Illinois analyzed 15 studies that had identified effective or exemplary transition programs for students with disabilities. The analysis revealed 107 key elements associated with effectiveness or exemplary program status, including variables in career/vocational training, systematic interdisciplinary…

Quality Implementation in Transition is a framework designed to guide transition specialists and administrators in the implementation of total quality management. The framework uses the tenets set forth by W. Edwards Deming and is intended to help professionals facilitate change within transition programs. (Author/JOW)

Provides a planning transition model for teachers of elementary and middle school. Describes the five essential components of the model: (1) developing a planning team; (2) generating goals and identifying problems; (3) developing written strategic plans; (4) acquiring the support and commitment of teachers; and (5) evaluating the transition…

Illustrates with a hypothetical adolescent with a disability the use of the McGill Action Planning System for initial and follow-up transition planning. Shows how the system promotes self-advocacy for students and families and provides information useful in the Individualized Education Plan. (SK)

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…

A study of transition coordinators (n=39) to determine how state departments of education were addressing policy issues related to the transition mandate in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act revealed that coordinators are facing three major challenges: (1) productive interagency collaboration; (2) assisting local agencies in…

Sixty-six responses from 612 students who withdrew from nursing programs highlighted academic/institutional and personal factors. Recommendations for retention include student tracking, support groups, upper-class student mentoring, internships, counseling services, and information dissemination. (SK)

Outlines current positions in the United Kingdom and the United States regarding pupil transition from elementary to secondary school. Presents U.S. findings as case studies from each state visited (New York, New Jersey, Kentucky, Florida, and Georgia), highlighting significant similarities and differences in organization and practice. United…

Because of changes in the family and other institutions, schools must fill the void created by students' lack of affective development before genuine learning can occur. This article provides guidelines for developing and implementing an advisory program for middle school students that successfully combines the elementary school's child-centered…

Describes Project Career, one university's three-year project which demonstrates that concerted effort can really help students with disabilities move into the work world. Describes work experience opportunities offered through the program, the placement process, and positive outcomes. Includes two brief case studies. Several scenarios of…

This editorial by the president of the Council for Exceptional Children indicates the organization's support of a continuum of special education placements for students with special needs and calls for improving transition of students from one placement to another. (JDD)

The article proposes a transition program for mildly handicapped students which stresses appropriate placement and ongoing support systems. Following intensive remedial academic instruction in junior high school, students would be tracked into either the traditional high school program (with ongoing support) or an alternative program designed to…