This digest identifies seven essential elements of effective programs for students in alternative programs because they have dropped out, are at risk for dropping out, or have behavior disorders that require special education outside the general education setting. Such alternative programs offer flexible curricula that can address the unique…

This bulletin is adapted from the third panel of three at a Manhattan Institute conference. The focus of this paper is on the re-entering ex-offender population. Howard Husock introduces the people who are on the front lines, working day-to-day with people coming out of prison, thinking about what are the right strategies. These people include…

This bulletin is adapted from the second panel of three at a Manhattan Institute conference. The focus of this paper is on the explosion of prison population and the inevitability of people reentering society from prison. Clarence Page believes this has a particularly brutal impact on the African-American community, and raises questions about how…

Describes a pilot study conducted in Champaign, Illinois, to deal with the misclassification of minority students labelled educable mentally handicapped (EMH). Discusses reevaluation and the declassification process, including placement in regular classes, teacher training, and the development and implementation of transition programs. (MJL)

A study used interactive focus groups to examine the perspective of 71 secondary students with disabilities about their experiences with career development and employment preparation. Results found school vocational experiences did not play a large role in the students' career aspirations. Family members had significant influence over career…

Examines shortcomings of the traditional high school special education curriculum and highlights a curriculum designed to assist students with mild disabilities in their transition to adulthood. The curriculum emphasizes problem solving and self-advocacy and includes components on daily living, personal/social, occupational exploration, and…

This article describes a comprehensive transition program for students with mild disabilities. The program revolves around a classroom-based employability skills curriculum taught over a semester's duration. Four program components are addressed: employability skills training, family involvement, adult agency referral, and on-the-job support. (CR)

A study used data from the National Education Longitudinal Study of 1988-1994 to compare postsecondary outcomes among 7,007 students with and without disabilities who participated in secondary vocational education. Students with disabilities who participated in vocational education earned more wages than peers with disabilities who did not…

A follow-up study involving 140 special education graduates found vocational education, work-study participation, attending a rural school, and having a learning disability were the best predictors of full-time employment after graduation. Participation in regular academics and attending a suburban school were the best predictors of postsecondary…

Exit plans of 1,632 students attending 92 private out-of-district special education programs were studied. Students from programs for medical and pervasive developmental/communication disorders were likely to plan transfers to self-contained programs within their districts, whereas students from emotional/behavioral programs tended to plan…

Qualitative research was used to examine transition experiences of 9 young adults with severe disabilities during their last year of high school along with their parents and professionals. Students were remarkably articulate about plans following graduation but had few opportunities to fulfill them meaningfully. Differing perspectives of parents…

This article discusses the unique contribution of orientation and mobility instructors and rehabilitation teachers in enhancing employment opportunities for individuals who are visually impaired. The ability of these professionals to complement the rehabilitation counselor's role by identifying consumer's interests in employment is explained and…

An analysis of perceptions of parents and teachers who participated in the preparation of 21 individualized transition plans (ITP) indicates that while students had limited participation in their own ITP, parents were pleased with the ITP process. Parents, however, reported having little knowledge of community options or potential employer's…

Describes two Head Start projects designed to make the transition from preschool to kindergarten less stressful for Head Start children and their families. Programs are the Mille Lacs Reservation Head Start program in Minnesota and the East Coast Migrant Head Start project in Fort Pierce, Florida. Project evaluations are summarized. (BB)

Describes the Algebra Project, which teaches algebra to middle school students and prepares them for college preparatory mathematics. The project includes some of the following elements: (1) a curriculum addressing the conceptual leap from arithmetic to algebra; (2) an experientially based curricular process; (3) high achievement expectations; and…