This article examines the theory, research, and social policy relating to family and individual life-cycle transitions for people with disabilities in the United States. Examples from the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act illustrate both promising and inadequate policy…

Reviews research concerning the effects of retention of kindergarten and first grade students and alternatives to such retention. (BB)

The article describes how a Virginia urban school system implemented an outcome-oriented work transition process with approximately 230 trainable or severely/profoundly handicapped students (ages 16-21). The article describes the system, students, and staff; developing a formal transition process; the individualized transition plan; and the job…

The school reentry of students with traumatic brain injury (TBI) is discussed, focusing on federal legislation requirements, TBI characteristics, assessment methods, the range of services that need to be considered, problems affecting students' academic and social functioning, need for a school team approach, schedule for reintegration planning,…

This article provides an overview of policymaking in relation to state and local district testing and accountability and concludes by identifying continuing policy issues and strategies for local implementation of standards-based secondary education that aligns with current testing and accountability policies. Governance models for curriculum…

The authors describe a zone defense schedule (ZDS), a system for organizing the staff and environment of a preschool classroom. Specifically, it is used to organize the roles of adults in the classroom so that transitions between activities are easier for children and provides greater opportunity for teaching (both during the transition and…

Starting school raises concerns for children, parents and teachers. Each has a range of issues to consider. Over the past eight years, The Starting School Research Project has examined eight categories which various stakeholders see as important in children's transition to school. This paper focuses on a particular group, gifted children starting…

What happens when children in creative, Reggio-like preschools go to a more traditional elementary school? In this book, William Corsaro and his Italian coauthor, Luisa Molinari, tell a complete and important story about the lives of children as they grow from young preschoolers to preadolescents in Modena, Italy. The authors both explore and…

The transition from school to adulthood is a pivotal time in the lives of all students. For a student with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), change of any kind can be challenging. A transition as momentous as this can seem daunting indeed. Thoughtful planning, good information, and open communication will help parents work with their young adult and…

This report focuses on six areas in which policymakers can take action to enhance outcomes for students along the educational pipeline and thus increase the supply of knowledge workers. These areas include: (1) Promoting access to education and training and improving the alignment of adult and workforce education systems and postsecondary…

The integrated Aimhigher programme was established in 2004 to widen participation in higher education by raising the aspirations and developing the abilities of young people from underrepresented groups. In order to explore the extent to which young people subsequently made a successful transition at 16 and intended, or had decided, to continue…

This manual on job search strategies for students with disabilities was developed as part of the EASE (Equal Access for Students to Education and Experience) Project at seven community colleges in northeastern Minnesota. The manual contains text, questionnaires, worksheets, checklists, examples, and lists of suggested resources to help students…

This guide presents suggestions to minimize adjustment problems for young children with delays and disabilities as they begin preschool. Strategies to ease the transition from early intervention programs to the preschool focus on: beginning early, talking about the new setting in positive ways, encouraging the child to ask questions and express…

Research shows that many primary grade students need extra-year options and benefit from them as they start their schooling. This book provides information about school readiness and transition programs in the United States, documenting the need for and success of such programs as a countermeasure to grade retention, as well as the negative…

This final report describes activities and accomplishments of the New Jersey Technical Assistance Project, a project to improve educational resources and support services for students with multiple sensory impairment (deaf-blindness). Activities and accomplishments are presented in a tabular format for each project goal and objective. The project…