This position statement of the Council for Exceptional Children's Division on Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities addresses the importance of equal opportunities for adolescents and young adults with mental retardation and developmental disabilities and the need to support the independent functioning of these individuals. Specific…

President Clinton's proposed youth apprenticeship for non-college-bound students may not equalize educational opportunities or improve economic prospects for poor and minority students but may reproduce inequities. One democratic alternative is to offer an education that equips students with specific vocational skills and abilities. (SM)

The State Center for Services for the Visually Impaired in Schleswig (Germany) provides intensive counseling and support to students with visual impairments in transition between school and career. The community-based program promotes vocational and social integration of these individuals through organization of a model vocational counseling…

Advantages of school-community partnerships in developing rural transitional programs for disabled students include informal community politics that provide opportunities for educational support, accessibility of nonschool personnel, acquaintanceship of parents, strong rural work ethic, and easy identification of community resources. Provides…

Youth apprenticeship is the ultimate school-business partnership. The article explains youth apprenticeship, then describes the Youth Apprenticeship Demonstration Project, which created a school-to-work transition system. The program combines two years of high school and two years of postsecondary technical education to students who probably would…

This qualitative study used focus groups to explore student perspectives on family involvement in the transition from school to adult life. Four focus groups, including students with learning disabilities, emotional and behavioral disorders, and mild mental retardation, demonstrated the importance to students of family input and support.…

Competencies needed by transition specialists for youth with disabilities were validated, based on opinions of 134 specialists in vocational rehabilitation, vocational special education, and special education. Competencies rated most important to effective transition services include the ability to coordinate, communicate, and collaborate.…

This article focuses on competencies needed for children's transitions from preschool special education programs to the primary grades, with a focus on literacy-rich classroom environments. The competencies concern: readiness to maximize academic achievement, social skills, and appropriate responsiveness to various instructional styles and new…

The effects of a goal-setting and help-recruiting training program on the attainment of transition goals were evaluated with six adjudicated male youths with disabilities who resided in a segregated institution. The youths attained 11 of 17 established transition goals, and reported improved satisfaction with their social competencies. (SW)

Introduces articles presenting a cross section of current research activity on preparing foster youth for adulthood. Suggests it is vital to develop a knowledge-building agenda; that research efforts be prospective and programmatic rather than ex post facto, occasional, or sporadic; and that attention be directed toward testing and evaluating…

Summarizes findings from the National Evaluation of Title IV-E Independent Living Programs for Youth in Foster Care. With respect to education completion, young parenthood, and use of public assistance, discharged foster care youth more closely resemble 18- to 24-year-olds living below the poverty level than 18- to 24-year-olds in the general…

One Colorado school district implemented a teacher induction seminar throughout the school year to promote professional development and facilitate the transition of new teachers into the district. The seminar encouraged questions, sharing, and mutual support. The article describes the structure of the seminar and the evaluation results. (SM)

Interviews with 29 English students with learning, emotional, or behavioral difficulties during their final school term found that students felt that they had received good advice and support for the transition to adulthood. Subsequent lack of coherence at interprofessional and interagency levels was felt to increase vulnerability of students…

The Future-Based Assessment/Intervention Transition Model is an individualized approach to educational planning for students with disabilities. The model involves developing a plan around short-term and long-term goals that will prepare students to meet demands in school and in future adult environments. (JDD)

This response to EC 604 966 points out that the special education community must collaborate with multiple agencies, employers, and selected community members in identifying desired outcomes, to increase the likelihood of these potential services being offered to youths with disabilities in transition from school to adult life. (JDD)