This study investigated students with disabilities transition after high school. It examined the student's involvement with their Individual Education Plan, teacher's perception on literacy instruction and the number of special education student who become employed in the community after high school. This study utilized mixed methods that included…

Every child is unique and learns in different ways. Some children are identified as needing special education services to support his or her learning at school. Parents can play a major role in shaping the services a child receives. This guidebook has been written for parents, guardians, and surrogate parents of a child (ages 3 to 21 or…

Because of the important role secondary special educators have in the transition to adulthood of adolescents with disabilities, it behooves educators to have an understanding of human development. The lifespan perspective on human development is particularly relevant to transition planning. Individuals with a lifespan perspective believe…

Participants with and without specific learning disabilities (SLD) provided responses as to background and school features, postschool plans, dream career, and most likely job after completing school. Findings suggest that participant groups are similar across most background and school features, with apparent differences for grade level and…

Over the past decade, there has been an increased emphasis on transition planning for students with exceptional needs. This is in part the result of the mandates contained in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004. This increased emphasis has revealed a number of shortcomings with how transition planning is done…

Strategies to improve transition planning include the following: (1) assess students' transition goals using life-skills assessments related to career education; (2) incorporate students' and parents' perspectives using future-based assessment and planning; and (3) specify interventions for achieving outcomes. (Contains 24 references.) (JOW)

This article presents a comprehensive model for assessment of secondary students with disabilities. The model is intended to comply with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, which requires identifying transition needs of students in their individualized education programs. The model assists in structuring an outcome-oriented transition…

Principles of planning for the transition of students with special needs into postsecondary educational programs include incorporation of postsecondary objectives into the secondary school individualized education program, use of the team approach, comprehensive program planning, interagency collaboration, and identification of resources and…

This resource manual contains conceptual and practical information about Iowa's Individualized Education Program (IEP) process and document. The resource manual's aim is greater consistency and higher quality in the implementation of the IEP process across Iowa. The manual is organized around the Iowa IEP prototype form, which consists of 10 pages…

The guide identifies and discusses critical components of high school programs designed to facilitate college placement as well as preparation of potential college-bound learning disabled (LD) secondary students for the demands of college settings. First, secondary programming needs to include integration of LD students into college preparatory…

Describes a transitional program for students who are deaf that begins in upper elementary grades and continues until they graduate from high school. Various vocational evaluation instruments used are identified by type, and examples of individualized education program goals and objectives related to transition are provided. (CR)

This study involved a content analysis of the transition goals of 136 students (mean age 17) with mental retardation for those which addressed skills related to self-determination. Results indicated very limited emphasis on such skills. Discussion focuses on the need to provide systematic instruction in elements of self-determination to students…

This guide for parents of students with disabilities in Florida provides information about the types of diplomas available through the Florida public school system and is intended to help parents and students make diploma choices in middle school and beyond as part of yearly transition individualized education program (IEP) meetings. Part 1…

The Future-Based Assessment/Intervention Transition Model is an individualized approach to educational planning for students with disabilities. The model involves developing a plan around short-term and long-term goals that will prepare students to meet demands in school and in future adult environments. (JDD)

Eleven papers address issues in the alignment of standards-based education and individualized transition planning and service development for students with disabilities including differences in assumptions and principles, the transition planning model as a framework for achieving this alignment, and educational practices resulting from this…