Research

On Issues of Transition for Students with Disabilities

Surveys, studies, and research on the results and outcomes of transition practices for students with disabilities.

Meeting the Challenge: Innovation in One State Rehabilitation System's Approach to Transition
Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness
This article describes a pilot program that used local rehabilitation facilities to address the career education needs of visually impaired students aged 14-21 in three Florida communities. The extensive planning, data collection, and evaluation process will allow this project to be improved and expanded throughout the state." (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)

National Transition Follow-Up Study of Youth Identified as Deafblind: Parent Perspectives
National Consortium on Deaf-Blindness
This study by National Technical Assistance Consortium for Children and Young Adults Who are Deaf-Blind (NTAC) "surveyed the parents/guardians of 97 youth (ages 18-24) … who are deaf-blind and who left school in June 1996." The findings support the need for services that promote development of communication and literacy, education with nondisabled peers, real job experience, and transition services that begin much earlier.

After High School: A First Look at the Postschool Experiences of Youth with Disabilities.
A Report from the National Longitudinal Transition Study
This 190-page report describes "the experiences of youth with disabilities … in their first 2 years out of high school." Their findings indicated that "up to 2 years after leaving high school, almost 8 in 10 out-of-school youth with disabilities have been engaged in postsecondary education, paid employment, or training to prepare them for employment." (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)

Evidence-based Secondary Transition Practices
This site has findings from research in transition-related areas, including student-focused planning, student development, interagency collaboration, family involvement, and program structure.