ODEP - Office of Disability Employment Policy
Disability Employment Policy Resources by Topic
Youth in Transition
School-Based Preparatory Experiences
In order to perform at optimal levels in all education settings, all youth need to participate in educational programs grounded in standards, clear performance expectations and graduation exit options based upon meaningful, accurate, and relevant indicators of student learning and skills. These should include:
- Academic programs that are based on clear state standards
- Career and technical education programs that are based on professional and industry standards
- Curricular and program options based on universal design of school, work and community-based learning experiences
- Learning environments that are small and safe, including extra supports such as tutoring, as necessary
- Supports from and by highly qualified staff;
- Access to an assessment system that includes multiple measures, and
- Graduation standards that include options.
In addition, youth with disabilities need to:
- Use their individual transition plans to drive their personal instruction, and strategies to continue the transition process post-schooling
- Access specific and individual learning accommodations while they are in school
- Develop knowledge of reasonable accommodations that they can request and control in educational settings, including assessment accommodations, and
- Be supported by highly qualified transitional support staff that may or may not be school staff.
Related resources include:
- Encouraging Future Innovation: Youth Entrepreneurship Education Fact sheet for youth service providers about the benefits of entrepreneurship and making entrepreneurial education programs inclusive of youth with disabilities.
- Quick Reference Guide to Assessment Overview of the assessment process as it relates to decision-making, career planning and service plan development for youth.
- Assessment Resources Resources regarding appropriate assessments focused on the talents, knowledge, skills, interests, values and aptitudes of each individual.
- National Center on Secondary Education and Transition (NCSET) Central source for information, resources and technical assistance related to secondary education and transition for youth with disabilities.
- National Dropout Prevention Center for Students with Disabilities Guidance for local education agencies to increase school completion rates and decrease dropout rates among students with disabilities.
- National Center on Educational Outcomes Center that promotes the participation of students with disabilities in national and state assessments, standards-setting efforts and graduation requirements.
- National Institute for Literacy/Literacy Information and Communication System Federal government's primary resource for literacy information and programs.
- All about the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) Introduction to IEPs, including what's required by law, what information a typical IEP contains and how they are developed.
- No Child Left Behind (NCLB) U.S. Department of Education's main resource page on NCLB.