Transitions

Carter, E. W., Trainor, A. A., Sun, Y., & Owens, L. (2009). Assessing the transition-related strengths and needs of adolescents with high-Incidence disabilities. Exceptional Children, 76(1), 74-94.

 

While many students leave secondary school with the skills needed to reach their goals post high school, many also do not.  Studies have shown that a small amount of students with EBD and LD were reported to have graduated high school, held a paying job, or had enrolled I higher education.  IDEA has tried to address these problems.  For instance, there is more emphasis now placed on linking assessment with transition goals.  Transition assessment must…

• Address a broad range of domains
• Be based on the student’s strengths and needs
• Incorporate many perspectives of those who know the student well and in different contexts
• Allow the student themselves to be involved and provide his/her own perception of their strengths

The authors conducted a study of students with LBD and LD.  They used the TPI assessment and included the students, their parents, and their teachers.  One obvious finding was that both parents and teachers scored the students transition related strengths and needs much higher than the student, himself.  Overall, the authors feel that there must be much more research done in this area.  Transition is a very important part of these students’ lives and it needs to be given additional attention.

I must admit that I chose this article because there were very few choices. This seemed to be the only one that fit all parameters and that was available in full text. It seems that the authors were correct about the need for more research and studies in this area of special education.

 I do admit that I am happy to have read this article.  It is a part of the special education system that I would like to know more about.  It is my goal to work at the high school level and these transitions would be a huge part of these students’ lives.  Part of the article became a bit overwhelming with statistics but I know that it is important for me to become comfortable with the many numbers.