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…

In most schools, restructuring involves a fundamental, comprehensive reformulation of school operations accompanied by intense scrutiny of everyday activities. This article traces a high school social studies teacher's growing bitterness and feelings of powerlessness as mandated restructuring efforts progressed at his school. A transition plan is…

The TRAC (Trade-Related Academic Competencies) model is designed for use by special education teachers in conjunction with vocational educators to provide a positive first experience for students with learning disabilities in transition from school to employment. The model assesses and develops academic skills in 26 vocational education program…

Traumatic brain injury was included as a disability category in the 1990 Individuals with Disabilities Act, which mandates appropriate services to TBI students and poses challenges to educators. This article discusses some of these challenges, including assessment, definition of appropriate services, functioning in classrooms, dealing with…

The Santa Clara (CA) transition project is a collaborative effort between the county's Head Start program and a San Jose school district. The program provides teacher training, transition activities, developmentally appropriate practices, comprehensive family services, and parent involvement opportunities. During 1994-95, the project is working…

Research points to the increasing importance of career exploration as a component of effective guidance programs in the transition years. For such programs to be successful, however, they must be part of a guidance program which involves the total school staff and works in collaboration with the school board and community. (Author/LKS)

The role of the transition liaison professional, who is knowledgeable in medical terminology, hospital procedures, and educational/community services for helping children with chronic illnesses, is explained. Discussion covers effects of recent laws, the need for a formal discharge program and planning model, and the many functions of the…

Compares two models for delivering emancipation preparation services to foster youths on pragmatic, structural, and client outcomes dimensions. The models differ primarily on the extent of caseworker involvement. Suggests that a model which incorporates both skill-building programs and an intensive and integrated case management function holds…

Comparison of "Distar Reading Mastery" and Addison Wesley's "Superkids" beginning reading programs with 81 children in transitional kindergarten special education classes found no significant differences at the end of the treatment year or at one-year follow-up. However, among children making the most gains, the Distar group…

To assist teachers in promoting successful transitions of preschool children with handicaps to integrated preschools or kindergartens, this article summarizes research findings on teachers' classroom organization, behavioral characteristics of most and least independent children in mainstream settings, and differences in the instructional…

The Peabody Reintegration Project utilizes curriculum-based measurement (CBM) to help integrate pupils with mild and moderate disabilities into mainstream math instruction. CBM is seen to be particularly relevant to a transenvironmental programing process involving environmental assessment, intervention and preparation, promoting transfer across…

After a review of the current problems of the racially oriented educational system of South Africa, this article examines alternative teaching strategies to ease the transition from school to university and concludes that modification of teaching for first-year university students is the most feasible approach. Examples of successful strategies…