A survey of 97 Florida and Georgia middle schools and their receiving high schools revealed that schools with two or fewer transition practices had significantly higher attrition and dropout rates than schools implementing three or more practices. Sample programs include the ninth-grade house, parent nights, advisory/mentoring programs, and…

The School-to-Work Opportunities Act (1994) was designed to provide grants to states and local school districts aiming to help all students explore careers and create work-based-learning opportunities linked to academic course work. This article underlines the need for parent support and describes several districts' implementation efforts. (MLH)

This case study examined the relationship between an educational agency and a human service agency in providing services to juvenile offenders in a county-operated correctional facility as they transition to the local public school system. It urges juvenile justice and public school systems to work together to effectively meet the needs of this…

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)

Surveyed practices of 3,595 kindergarten teachers related to transition into kindergarten and implementation barriers. Found that in-person contacts with children/families were among those used least often. Most frequent were practices taking place after start of school and/or involving low-intensity, generic contact. School location and…

Presents the case study success story of a University of Port Elizabeth Advancement Program student named Elroy Africander. Underscores two significant components of student transition programs: the need for support for students' personal and emotional growth, and that practitioners should regularly assess the strengths and weaknesses of programs…

While visiting school-to-work sites, the author observed numerous programs that teach students the "new basics" or "basics-plus" skills needed for success in today's economy. These skills include an ability to use technology, communicate ideas and information orally and in writing, work in groups, solve knotty problems,…

Using a Delphi approach, 10 experts identified 186 practices from the fields of transition and dropout prevention that would be effective with high-risk students, including those with mild disabilities. Rating these practices indicates that many prevention practices are important and feasible to implement. (SLD)

Seventy-four special educators who were involved in transition-related activities rated the importance of 30 transition-related teacher competencies. All competencies were identified by the majority of respondents as important. Competencies related to teaching money management skills and involving parents received the highest ratings. (Contains…

Used focus group interviews to compare the first-semester experiences of students clustered for both their first-year seminar and English composition class and students taking only their first-year seminar together. Found that clustered students were more satisfied with the seminar, experienced greater peer support, enjoyed better relationships…

A mother discusses her family's experience in transitioning her daughter from early intervention services to an early childhood program. Helpful strategies that the early childhood staff used are identified and include introducing families to teachers during the transition process and allowing parents to visit the program before sending their…

This article describes the purpose of vocational rehabilitation and the service delivery process for individuals with learning disabilities in transition from school to work or postsecondary education settings. Suggestions are made to prepare families and students with learning disabilities, vocational rehabilitation counselors, and special…

This article synthesizes descriptions of and recommendations for community transition teams which assist in the transition of youth with learning or other disabilities from school to adult life. The levels, composition, and functions of transition teams are described. Community-level transition teams are shown to be critical support vehicles for…

This article highlights transition issues in terms of sending teachers' or receiving teachers' actions in preparing for transition movements, linking the preparatory and receiving environments, and facilitating students' participation in the receiving environment. For each issue, the steps used by sending teachers and receiving teachers to address…

This article reviews the current literature on the assessment of students with disabilities with emphasis on evaluating student needs and preferences for transition services as required by federal legislation. Analyses of studies reported in 11 articles are summarized. The review indicates a lack of consensus on the most appropriate ways to assess…