This paper conceptualizes transition as an outcome-oriented process leading to quality of life for individuals with disabilities. The paper discusses theoretical issues pertaining to the definition and conceptualization of quality of life, research findings in this area, and issues that should be addressed in the future. (Author/JDD)

This article reviews five categories of critical characteristics of high-quality secondary-level vocational instruction programs that increase the likelihood that students with severe disabilities will obtain paid community employment upon graduation. Categories include location of instruction, curriculum, instructional strategies, transition…

The research literature is reviewed for transitions from birth to eight years. A model describes transition as a change in ecocultural niche, requiring accommodations in daily routines for a child, family, and service providers and transition impact measures the number of accommodations required and the sustainability of daily routines.…

Discharging the premature infant from the hospital calls for provision of support to families in such areas as capitalizing on family strengths and resources, empowering parents to make informed decisions, creating opportunities for parent-to-parent contact, focusing intervention goals on parent-identified needs, and providing services to families…

A blind individual offers career education guidelines concerning helping blind children make realistic vocational choices, providing job awareness, setting up work-experience programs, and developing special job-seeking skills. (DB)

Examined relationship of first-year intervention to institutional integration, academic success, and persistence of resident and commuter first-year students (n=629) at predominantly nonresidential university. Found group differences on social integration and gender differences on academic success. Higher percentage of intervention participants…

Describes a transition program at the Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind that helps 18- to 21-year olds bridge the gap between high school and adult life. Through multi-agency collaboration, students can take advantage of a community college educational program and learn independent living skills. (CR)

Troy Academy at Green Mountain College, in Pultney, Vermont, was a three-year experiment that allowed responsible area high-school juniors and seniors to take challenging college-level courses in a supportive environment providing for their needs. Despite the program's unqualified success, Green Mountain ended the arrangement because of financial…

Discusses facilitating culturally sensitive transition plans for young children transitioning to kindergarten and their families. Addresses transition roles for families and adapting transition roles for culturally diverse families. Stresses the need for transition teams to emphasize continuity, communication, collaboration, and family concerns.…

At a policy forum on transition, 30 participants addressed special education, rehabilitation, and the School-to-Work Initiative. Recommendations were made in the following areas: considering transition as a pre-kindergarten through age 16 issue, promoting schools' responsibility for all students, cultivating leadership, working effectively with…

Many schools host kindergarten roundups to facilitate children's transition from home to formal education. Roundups should not assess school readiness, but could be a valuable tool to help teachers' meet students' diverse needs. Roundups should open up parent-teacher communications, check for correctable learning impairments, and share meaningful…

After German reunification in 1990, a common, comparable school structure was successfully established. Instead of attending mostly vocational high schools, East German students now choose among three school types: a college preparatory "Gymnasium"; a technical-clerical, intermediate "Realscuhle"; and a manual-labor oriented…

The effectiveness of transition planning for individuals with mental retardation was investigated by comparing outcomes of 322 adults who graduated from high school in 1985 with 82 who graduated in 1993. The class of 1993 demonstrated better outcomes in several areas of adult adjustment. Recommendations for improvements are discussed. (Contains…

The director of a high school gifted education program discusses the transition from high school to college and reports on a survey of 97 gifted students four years after high school graduation. The survey addressed challenges and adjustments in the transition to college, whether students' high abilities were perceived as assets or liabilities,…

This article traces the history of transition programs for adolescents with disabilities and the role that transition plays within current reform efforts. Best practices are discussed and strategies for school programs are provided, including individualized planning, involvement of family and support networks, a focus on community outcomes, and…