The transitions students make during their years of schooling are usually major events in their lives and in the lives of their parents. The stresses created by these transitions can be minimized when the new environment is responsive to each particular age group. This digest presents a brief overview of some of the issues involved in the…

This study, undertaken at a Michigan high school, examined the development of collaborative relationships among school personnel, community members, and agency staff for the effective transition of students with disabilities from school to adult life. It attempted to identify the essential components and common barriers to such relationships and…

This report summarizes responses to a survey about the effectiveness of the 1989 Transitional Bilingual Education (TBE) Program in Seattle (Washington). A large majority of TBE teachers and instructional assistants (IAs), and a little more than half of the principals of schools housing bilingual programs responded. The following findings are…

Intended for parents of young children with disabilities in Texas, this booklet describes the Texas early childhood intervention (ECI) program and identifies parent rights. An introductory chart summarizes five steps of family centered services (from assessment and evaluation to the annual Individualized Family Service Plan meeting) in terms of…

This collection of readings covers critical issues related to transition of youth with disabilities from school to post-school experiences. The first paper, titled "'Cognitive Return' of Schooling for Students with Disabilities: Preliminary Findings from 'High School and Beyond'" by Delwyn L. Harnisch and Ian A. G. Wilkinson, applies…

New York City's Special Education School Articulation Program, which fosters informed student and parent choice about available high school program options, is described. Initial program objectives for the 1990-91 school year included hiring of school articulation coordinators and development of specific articulation plans by middle and high…

Although transition services and plans for youth with disabilities are mandated by age 16 by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, a need clearly exists to provide transition services before age 16. The literature documents the need for transition programs that develop problem-solving skills, career awareness, an interest in future…

This monograph provides a review of the literature on the transition of students with disabilities into the adult world and an analysis of various models of transition that have emerged in western Europe in comparison with those in the United States. An introduction identifies key definitional issues in transition: defining the population,…

This study investigated the adult adjustment of randomly selected students with learning disabilities in the classes of 1984 and 1985, 1 and 3 years after they exited Iowa high schools. A total of 939 students were interviewed 1 year out of high school, of which 784 were also interviewed 3 years out of school. Results are reported in terms of: (1)…

The National Longitudinal Transition Study (NLTS) of Special Education Students provides ongoing information to the special education community regarding the transition of youth with disabilities from secondary school to early adulthood. The sample for the study began with a 1987 survey (Wave 1) involving more than 8,000 youth from the national…

This monograph presents the Arkansas Transition Agreement developed by the Interagency Council on Self Sufficiency (ICSS), which has the goal of developing, implementing, and monitoring a statewide process for transition of students with disabilities from school to integrated postsecondary education, employment, and community living. Following a…

This monograph addresses the transition needs of adolescents with serious emotional disabilities, describing programs in various settings and states. An introductory chapter discusses the concept of transition and outlines service components. Findings from a national survey of 53 transition programs are then presented. Findings indicated that 60%…

A study evaluated two El Paso, Texas bilingual education program types, including a state-mandated transitional model (n=18 schools, 5,607 students) and a bilingual immersion program (n=19 schools, 4,717 students). Both programs are designed so students will exit after grade 4, but some continue in grades 5 and 6. Student characteristics are…

This handbook supplement, for transition coordinators, is part of a packet intended to aid educators, families, and adult service providers to facilitate the transition from school to adult life in the community for students with both cognitive disabilities and visual or dual sensory impairments. Emphasis is on transition planning and community…

Interviews were conducted with parents of mentally retarded youth who had completed their education at special education centers or in Educable Mentally Retarded classes within regular high schools of the Allegheny Intermediate Unit (Pennsylvania). Students included 72 individuals who left the special education centers in 1987 (1-year follow-up);…