This article describes how to develop a "job club" for students with disabilities, to assist them with the transition from school to work. The ability of job clubs to teach goal setting, self-determination skills, and interpersonal competence is discussed. Step-by-step instructions are included as well as a sample meeting agenda. (CR)

This paper describes an initiative launched in New South Wales, Australia, in 1989 to help students with disabilities move from school to community settings. The program established partnerships among schools, communities, service providers, and government agencies, resulting in smoother transitions and improved postschool options and quality of…

The "Shadow" program at a middle school in Atlanta allows fifth graders to "shadow" sixth grade middle students to ease transition from elementary school. This study used questionnaires to compare the social adjustment of program participants and non-participants, as well as teacher attitudes toward the program. Results showed…

This article examines how the related concepts of risk factors, protective factors, and resilience relate to postschool outcomes for youth with disabilities, especially the adult transitions of youth with high-incidence disabilities. Issues related to research and practice are identified, including building resilience through support at the…

A study investigated the causes, educational continuity, and parental perceptions associated with 19 students with multiple disabilities transitioning from school to hospital. Sixty-one percent of hospitalizations were for emergencies and only 1 in 46 hospitalizations had a transition plan to deliver educational services while students were absent…

Focus groups or interviews with 31 family members and 8 adolescents from minority communities investigated barriers families encountered as their adolescent youth with disabilities move into adulthood. Barriers included insensitivity/discrimination, lack of accommodations, and unresponsive services. Survey findings from 308 parents were consistent…

This article discusses features of multimedia instructional tools that may provide students with moderate to severe mental disabilities with more effective and efficient simulated instructional tools in the area of transition skills (i.e., community literacy skills, mobility skills, and safety skills). Information about a project to develop a…

Discussion of postsecondary education as an important option in transition planning for students with disabilities considers: (1) what the law requires of postsecondary education institutions; (2) the information and documentation required at the postsecondary level; and (3) preparation for the transition to postsecondary education. (Contains…

A study involving 27 young people with learning disabilities and 27 parents found many left school without any transition planning. Where transition planning had occurred, there was a stark mismatch between topics families wanted covered and those addressed. Many students who received transition planning had little if any involvement. (Contains 9…

Details evaluation of the West Virginia site of a federally-funded program to maintain early achievement gains viewed as crucial in alleviating poverty-linked social distress. Notes that the Post-Head Start Transition evaluation showed no achievement gains. Asserts that findings provide no support for a general policy of early and continuing…

Presents an overview of the challenges and initiatives that will influence expansion of the Head Start program. These include state Head Start collaborative projects, social services, Job Opportunities and Basic Skills (JOBS) programs for parents, research, adult literacy, and children's transition to public schools. (BB)

A survey of 80 high school students with learning disabilities (LD) and 80 nondisabled (NLD) peers found that more LD students than NLD students were involved in transition programs; career goals were established by the majority of both groups; and twice as many NLD students as LD students wanted to go to college. (Author/JDD)

A qualitative observational study of standardized group testing in 10 kindergartens revealed variations in testing conditions, discrepancies from standardized administration procedures, and variations in children's behavior that contributed to difficulties in maintaining a uniform testing process. High-stakes group testing in kindergarten should…

A teacher in a school for students with moderate learning difficulties and a secondary school teacher exchanged teaching responsibilities, to identify potential problems for students and teachers when mainstreaming is carried out. Discussed are the impact of class size, teaching styles, knowledge-centered learning, scope of curriculum, scheduling,…

Exceptional students need to learn self-directed behavior and self-management procedures, in order to enhance their adaptability and problem-solving skills in work environments. An instructional model to teach adaptability skills focuses on decision-making, independent performance, self-evaluation, and autonomy. Several procedures to promote…