This study, undertaken from 1983-84 through 1988-89, compared the relative effectiveness of two alternative programs (structured English immersion and late-exit transitional bilingual education) with that of the program typically funded through the Bilingual Education Act, the early-exit transitional bilingual education program. The…

Citing issues of professional qualifications and reward systems that the field of early childhood education must resolve as preschool programs become part of the public schools, this paper argues for adopting a dynamic career ladder model of program staffing. The dynamic model assumes a mix of staffing in early childhood programs wherever they are…

The District of Columbia Board of Education declared the 1990-1991 school year "The Year of the Young Child." During this year, the district encouraged programs that: (1) responded to the learning patterns of children; (2) involved parents in their children's development; (3) provided a range of services such as health and nutrition…

This paper examines transition from school to post-school activities for students with chronic illness and disabilities, with reference to: four legislative acts that impact transition services, seven legislated implementation mechanisms, seven outcomes areas, and a social system for evaluating services to transitioning youth. Transition…

This paper describes a supported transition plan for preschool students with special needs who are entering a kindergarten classroom. The transition plan includes the following phases: (1) make decision regarding kindergarten placement; (2) develop a preplacement plan which includes a visitation to the preschool program by kindergarten staff; and…

The General Accounting Office (GAO) conducted a study for two purposes: (1) to verify how much it costs the Coast Guard to send a student to the Naval Academy Preparatory School in preparation for the Coast Guard Academy and explain what is included in the cost; and (2) to determine to what extent the school is helping the minority profile at the…

This volume provides an overview of the proceedings of a 1986 meeting which looked at Transition Institute at Illinois programs that help students with disabilities move into postsecondary study or work, discussed how participants could receive technical assistance, and disseminated project information. Included are the agenda, the findings from…

The Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) Program was established in 1970 to increase the number of American Indian, Black, Mexican-American, and Puerto Rican students who graduate from a California university prepared to enter mathematics-based careers. Developed initially with an exclusive focus on high school students, MESA…

This newsletter issue describes the importance of vocational assessment in the educational process of students with disabilities. Vocational assessment is defined, its purposes are explained, and the ways in which vocational assessment can benefit teenagers with special needs are discussed. Types of informal and formal assessments are explored, as…

The transition from primary to secondary school can be a different experience for each child. Parents can sometimes feel isolated and the primary school equally powerless to assist. The type, quality and quantity of information sent can be used in different ways. Some teachers and parents question whether the secondary school uses the information…

Increasing numbers of capable learning disabled students are attempting to make the difficult transition from high school to postsecondary programming. A comprehensive approach to better serve the college-bound learning disabled high school student includes early transition planning, instructional programming, social skills intervention, and…

The purpose of the project described in this paper was to conduct research on curricular strategies that would facilitate successful transition of handicapped youth from public school to postsecondary work and leisure environments. The curriculum strategies involved teaching skills in searching for leisure activities prior to introducing a job…

A tracking system which monitors Allegheny County (Pennsylvania) mentally retarded students leaving the school system to make their transition to adult life, was developed to: (1) enhance the prospects for successful follow-up; (2) enable program planners to conduct systematic inquiries regarding the abilities, living arrangements, and work…

The project described in this report sought to develop a program whereby adolescents with learning disabilities could increase their skills to successfully cope with the transitions inherent in moving to adulthood. The program, termed the "Life-planning Program," consists of a series of activities designed to: (1) orient the student…

The 3-year qualitative study evaluated high-school special education programs and their contributions to the transition of youth with disabilities. This report focuses on: the current status of programs for transition from school to adult life; program gaps as seen by administrators and practitioners; and reported priorities for program…