Experimental Transitional Program designed in accord with current transition years philosophy for grade-nine students (n=137) was evaluated to examine impact on student attitude. No attitudinal benefits were evident on a variety of measures. In fact, student attitude was seen to deteriorate over the course of the year regardless of type of…

This paper outlines the arrangements for assessing school leavers under Sections 5 and 6 of Great Britain's Disabled Persons Act, summarizes the results of research in Avon (England) following the lives of 50 people with severe learning difficulties just before and after they left school. Presents a model for individual and strategic planning to…

Comparison of hearing (n=222) and deaf (n=217) young adults on employment, independent living, and social experience outcomes found that the hearing group was generally more successful than deaf persons from mainstream or residential schools. Gender differences did not uniformly favor men. Suggestions for improving transition programs for the deaf…

This article describes service outcomes for people with disabilities, achieved by local Oregon communities during the past five years as they have implemented a community capacity building model called the Community Transition Team Model. Principles of successful programs included active participation of diverse stakeholders, change viewed as a…

Examined the extent of extra-year programs for kindergarten students in Texas school districts; identified procedures and curricular interventions; and established the growth trend of these classes statewide. Found that 39% of the 285 school districts responding had transition classes, and the trend for the state at-large appeared to be one of…

Reviews data on the skill level and readiness for independence of adolescents who are placed in the substitute care system in Washington State. Findings suggest that many of these youth do well in terms of skill learning and performance, and are prepared for independence upon emancipation. Nevertheless, remedial training is suggested to better…

Responsibility, self-care, supportive environment, and employment were analyzed as significant indicators of readiness for independent living for adolescents in foster care. Results indicated that school performance, mental health problems, hours worked per week, total number of placements, contact with father, ethnicity, and caretaker perceptions…

Discusses community-based assessment and how it was linked with the job-matching process to assist students with severe disabilities in the job development and placement process. (JOW)

Families (n=46) of mentally retarded public school graduates in British Columbia were asked about their child's transition outcomes and transition process. Results revealed a strong reliance on segregated adult services and a transition process in which families received little help. (DB)

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.…

A future-based assessment/intervention model is proposed for improved programing for students with mental retardation. The model is an extension of curriculum-based assessment but takes into consideration students' abilities and individual goals and objectives. The assessment model is linked closely with instruction and is particularly valuable…

This article outlines six values that should form the basis of transdisciplinary team alliance in planning transition from school to integrated employment for students with severe disabilities. The values are organized into principles of shared responsibility, and recommendations are provided for their implementation. (JDD)

Describes the Supervised Independent Living Orientation Program (Michigan), which provides a transition into relatively unstructured independent living to adolescents and youths with a history of behavioral and emotional disturbances, including delinquency and psychiatric hospitalization. Discusses contracts used in the program. (BB)

A total of 246 parents and educators of deaf students, rehabilitation specialists, and deaf adults were surveyed regarding obstacles to school-to-community transitions for youth in the Pacific Northwest. Results are delineated for three groups: deaf individuals, hard-of-hearing individuals, and deaf multihandicapped individuals. (Author/PB)

A survey of 36 adolescents with mild disabilities and 37 professional educators revealed perceptions of a significantly low level of existing transition instruction and services but a high level of perceived need for such services. High level perceived needs included job maintenance skills, parent training, self-advocacy, individual transition…