Describes the Workplace Literacy Project which teaches mathematics to remedial and special education secondary students through a combination of conceptual approaches and problem-solving exercises anchored in the students' world. The approach also incorporates the use of calculators and computer software such as spreadsheets. (DB)

This paper discusses the development of self-determination skills by students with disabilities and the role of the professional in promoting these skills. It begins by providing a list of 25 elements of self-determination and then explains the importance of promoting the development of self-advocacy groups and other endeavors initiated by and for…

Twelve case studies describe the kinds of decisions that young people with disabilities and their families have to make as they prepare to leave school. The seven types of decision-making processes that are identified attempt to describe some of these complexities as experienced by young people and their parents. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

This paper discusses the development of the Basic Skills Model, a theoretical framework that has enabled North Carolina educators to propose to the Department of Public Instruction the development of a curriculum for high school juniors and seniors with disabilities. The curriculum is designed to enable students to gain the necessary skills to…

Exceptional students need to learn self-directed behavior and self-management procedures, in order to enhance their adaptability and problem-solving skills in work environments. An instructional model to teach adaptability skills focuses on decision-making, independent performance, self-evaluation, and autonomy. Several procedures to promote…

This student activity book includes worksheets that secondary students with and without disabilities can use to complete each activity in the "Steps to Self-Determination" curriculum. The program is meant to assist students in learning more about themselves and developing the skills they need to achieve their goals, getting support from family and…

The "Self-Determination Knowledge Scale" (SDKS) Form A and Form B are designed as a pretest and posttest for the "Steps to Self-Determination" curriculum. The program is meant to assist students, with and without disabilities, to learn more about themselves and develop skills to achieve their goals, get support from family and friends, and learn…

This article describes a new curriculum for reversing self-defeating tendencies in secondary level youth with disabilities by building skills in areas such as communication, self-understanding, creative thinking, and problem solving. The curriculum, Self Determination: The Road to Personal Freedom, focuses on development of eight skills. (DB)

The FUTURES program was developed by the Ontario (Canada) Ministry of Skills Development in order to better prepare severely disadvantaged and disabled youth in terms of both academic and job-readiness training. This study sought to construct a portrait of FUTURES students which would contain data readily translatable to counseling and…

This study focused on the validation of Generalizable Reasoning Skills assessment instruments with students with disabilities in secondary vocational programs. Results indicated that student self-ratings, teacher ratings, and a performance test were internally consistent and precise measures of reasoning skills for some uses but that most…

This guide contains the "Work It Out" simulation, which is pertinent to a variety of curriculum areas, both academic and vocational. The purpose of "Work It Out" is to introduce the student to work-related problem situations and to promote skills in identifying alternatives when solving problems. Part I discusses use of the…

Students with disabilities often have difficulty understanding expository history texts in high school. This article presents an integrated curriculum/instruction/assessment approach to teaching history that increases content comprehension and problem-solving skills of students with learning disabilities in inclusive classrooms. Concept-based…

This curriculum guide is focused on helping secondary students with and without disabilities gain knowledge and skills that will allow them to increase their ability to achieve their goals in environments with varying levels of receptivity to the concept of self-determination. The curriculum is designed to be delivered over the course of one…

The article describes employability assessment and intervention packages recently developed by the Arkansas Research and Training Center in Vocational Rehabilitation. Counselors can incorporate the employability products into transitional services for disabled students to increase social, vocational, problem-solving, decision-making, on-the-job…

Successful collaboration and problem solving are the foundational processes on which meaningful transition plans are constructed. This article discusses the process of planning for the transition from school to adult life for students with disabilities and suggests that person-centered planning is an ideal vehicle for promoting collaboration and…