Observing that there is no shortage of work to be done, but rather a shortage of employment, this essay analyzes aspects of youth unemployment in Europe including school effectiveness; alienation and the work ethic; remedies, which include European Community's "social guarantee"; and some considerations for future change. (MJL)

This brief describes a new approach to teaching and learning that can help middle and secondary teachers more effectively accommodate different learning styles, including those of students with disabilities. This approach, referred to as "universal design," holds potential for easing the transition to middle school and helping all students achieve…

This Introductory Packet provides readings and related activities on support for transitions to address barriers to student learning covering both research and best practices. It explores why transitions are dangerous opportunities that can disrupt or promote development. Key transitions and related intervention strategies are presented for…

The main challenges faced by high schools are preparing students for the workforce of the 21st century, and for post secondary educational opportunities. Yet in a 2004 review of the graduation requirements of all 50 states, Achieve Inc. discovered that "no state requires its graduates to take the courses that reflect the real-world demands of…

This information brief examines use of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) of 1998 to address the transition needs of youth with disabilities. WIA funds a range of training, career development, and job placement services for diverse clients in one-stop centers. WIA contains specific provisions that support the participation of youth with…

This final report describes activities and accomplishments of National TEEM Outreach, a 3-year project designed to support the inclusion of young children with disabilities in kindergarten and subsequent general education classrooms in 12 school districts located in 5 states. The project focused on disseminating and replicating the previously…

This paper reviews the literature examining the lifelong challenges to family members represented by the birth of a child with severe disabilities. The paper addresses issues of family life, the systems that affect families, and current and future concerns related to having a child with severe disabilities. Studies addressing families of infants,…

This briefing paper discusses academic accommodations for high school students with disabilities. It begins by reviewing provisions under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act that require Individualized Education Programs to include a statement of the program modifications or supports that will be provided for the child to enable the…

Despite the demonstrated social value of out-of-school time and community school initiatives, such programs lack dedicated funding sources available to support their efforts. This strategy brief argues that Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act can serve as an important funding source for out-of-school time programs and community…

This technical assistance paper focuses on the transition of children with disabilities birth to three and their families from the Infants and Toddlers Early Intervention Program for children ages birth to three to the Prekindergarten Program for Children with Disabilities for children ages three to five. The information presented is consistent…

The Monash University (Australia) Transition to Tertiary Writing Project seeks to produce a World Wide Web-based resource for first-year students to facilitate their transition to the kinds of thinking and writing valued at the university. The background research on which this language and academic skills (LAS) project is based centers on three…

This document describes seven projects based on research-based strategies to educate students with emotional and/or behavioral problems and prevent their dropping out of high school. An introduction notes that all the projects focus on forming new connections using multi-pronged approaches to meet individual students' basic emotional and social…

The State University of New York (SUNY) Bridge Program is a federally funded work force preparation program that was initiated in October 1992 to help mothers receiving welfare achieve self-sufficiency by helping them acquire job skills. The program is housed at the Urban League of Northeastern New York and SUNY's 10 educational opportunity…

This report presents some statistics that reveal how students with disabilities appear to be faring and identifies some strategies that appear to result in desirable outcomes. Data were obtained from national studies and surveys from 1985 through 1998. Inclusion in typical education, training, and community experiences results in better transition…

This guide offers suggestions to postsecondary students with disabilities for successfully managing the transition from a two-year to a four-year college. Data are offered showing that fewer students with disabilities attend postsecondary institutions and, of those, fewer attend four-year institutions and eventually earn bachelors degrees. A…