This document describes the concepts and policies guiding the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) in programming for services in the school to work transition. Underlying assumptions address the complexity of post-school services, the focus on all students with disabilities, and the goal of employment as an important…

Intended to assist community groups in implementing similar projects, this illustrated booklet describes "Arts for Transition" which is a structured, sequenced program designed to use recreational arts groups and activities as a vehicle for developing the social and independent living skills of disabled youth in transition from the world…

The directory lists grants funded under the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) Secondary and Transition Initiative. Information was obtained from a January, 1988, questionnaire of projects, from original grant applications, and from the previous year's project profiles. The compendium includes five sections: (1) an…

The paper examines ways to enhance the transition of handicapped students from special preschools to public school kindergartens. The importance of careful planning, evaluation, and modification for individual needs is stressed. The effects of larger class size in kindergartens include requirements for students to obey group instructions, work…

Vocational education programs should promote independence to counteract the dependency typically fostered in correctional institutions. In addition, vocational programs must include a transition component, which stresses critical job retention skills. The development of a successful vocational program depends upon the skills and cooperation of a…

Peer-monitoring and self-monitoring procedures were developed to decrease disruption and nonparticipation during transition activities of a kindergarten class with 10 children with behavior and/or learning problems. Results suggested that classroom management can be achieved through carefully developed routines with clear instructions paired with…

This article discusses the transition of students with disabilities to higher education, their needs and challenges, and introduces a tool that is being piloted to address areas of concern. The questionnaire is designed to determine the readiness skills of students who indicate their desire to transition from high school to college. (CR)

National survey data were gathered from 1,450 school districts to determine the extent to which vocational and transition-oriented services were available to secondary-age special education students. Examined were types of disabilities served, number of students, local education agency service configurations, school resources, and external…

The article defines the term, "transition," discusses the types of transitions that occur during early childhood special education, explores the rationale for studying and planning such transitions, and identifies transition issues and procedures. Tables offer data on critical events in rearing a handicapped family member, commercially available…

This case study of one resource program describes structures and techniques used in the regular classroom, playground, lunchroom, and resource room to help in mainstreaming handicapped students. In four years this program saw a 42 percent reduction in students classified as handicapped, although school enrollment grew by almost 38 percent.…

The article examines communication training for handicapped students making the transition from school to adult life in terms of the need for communication training, principles of assessment, and the communication specialist as consultant. (DB)

Seven pitfalls of transition planning for students with disabilities are identified: (1) planning at an inappropriate level; (2) confusing means with ends; (3) failing to involve all relevant educational partners; (4) selecting programs before identifying goals; (5) failing to consider future community realities; (6) being unaware of the process…

The Manhattan Transition Center provides supported employment for youth with mild to severe disabilities. Local enclave worksites staffed by teacher/paraprofessional teams place participants in jobs. Under the zero-reject policy, employers and service providers are responsible for participants' personal and work-related growth. (SK)

A template-matching strategy was successfully used to facilitate transition between preschool and kindergarten for preschoolers with disabilities. Differences between instructional environments in sending and receiving classes were identified, and an intervention was implemented in the preschool to more closely align preschool and kindergarten…

Looks at federal legislation and other initiatives that have affected the evolution of transition services to individuals with disabilities moving from school to postschool activities. Discusses areas in which reforms are needed: promoting self-determination, reducing competition between increased graduation requirements and functional education,…