This handbook offers guidelines for the successful transition of students with disabilities into adult life and is designed to be used by everyone on the Individualized Education Program (IEP) team, including the student and family members. The first chapter provides an overview of the transition assessment process, including purpose and the laws requiring a transition assessment. Chapter 2 looks at transition assessment and career development. It provides a checklist and assessment questions to help teachers identify where along the career path of awareness, exploration, preparation, and assimilation a student is functioning. Chapter 3 focuses on integrating the results of transition assessment into the IEP. Sample case studies and transition goals and objectives are provided. Chapter 4 considers the role of the student in the transition assessment process and the development of self-determination skills. Chapter 5 discusses the role of family members, special education and general education teachers, support staff, and adult services providers in the transition process. Chapter 6 suggests methods to collect information on the student's strengths, needs, interests, and preferences. The final chapter offers a format for making the best match between the demands of future environments and the individual student. Appendices offer a list of commercially available measures and sample community, job, vocational, and program assessment forms. (DB)