Question:

I work in small school district as a special education middle and high school resource teacher. I realize the importance of Transition, i.e., school to work, as my students prepare for life after high school. Our school resources are limited and so one of my goals is to create a Transition library so students have ready access to various research materials through books, the Internet, and each other. Could you suggest a few of your favorite books and Internet website to get me started? Thanks.

Answer:

What a GREAT idea! My resource list keeps growing as I research ways to help students become more involved in planning for the future. I hope the following list of some of my favorite books and Internet web sites assist you in your initial stages of developing a Transition Library. Good luck and feel free to contact me if you need further assistance.

Transition (what, why, who, when, where)

Transition to Adult Living: A Guide for Secondary Education, (2001). California Department of Education. Order through CalSTAT/CIHS, Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, CA 94928, 707-206-0533. This document can be downloaded at http://www.cde.ca.gov/spbranch/sed/trnsgde.pdf. Spanish version is also available at http://www.cde.ca.gov/spbranch/sed/trns_sctn4_spnsh.pdf.

http://www.nichcy.org
A great site for information on everything you wanted to know about disabilities, IDEA/Transition requirements.

http://64.174.230.26./riselib/ Resources in Special Education (RISE) Library. This library is located with Parents Helping Parents of Santa Clara. Books, tapes, videos, etc. on a variety of issues are available free of charge for you to borrow.

Transition Curriculum

Patton, J.R. et al. (1999). Infusing Real-Life Topics into Existing Curricula: Recommended Procedures and Instructional Examples for the Elementary, Middle, and High School Levels, PRO-ED, Austin, TX 78757

Developmental Guidance Classroom Activities for use with the National Career Development Guidelines (1992). edited by Rogala, J.A. et al. Grades 6-12, Madison, WI, 53706; http://www.cew.wisc.edu.

http://www.lausd.k12.ca.us/lausd/offices/spec_ed/_dots/tea_docs.htm
This web site titled, District Office of Transition Services for Teachers

Field, S. et al. (1998). A Practical Guide for Teaching Self-Determination, CEC, 707-620-3660, http://www.cec.sped.org

Field, S. et al (1998). Self-Determination Strategies for Adolescents in Transition, PRO-ED, Austin, TX 78757

Career choices

Young Person's Occupational Outlook Handbook: Descriptions for America's Top 250 Jobs. For the most current publication, go to the www.JISTWorks.com.) There is also a version for elementary and high school and beyond.

COIN Career Guidance System. Includes interest surveys for students from elementary through high school. One example is the COIN Career Targets: A Career Exploration and Educational Planning Guide (1994). Published by COIN Educational Products, Toledo, Ohio, 800-274-8515. Contact person and author: Rod W. Durgin, Ph.D.

Self-Advocacy

http://www.ldonline.org/ld_indepth/transition/transition_self_advocacy.html
Transition and Self-Advocacy

Hartwig, L., Meredith, G. (2001) Get on Top of It! Teaching Students to Problem Solve, Sopris West; Longmont, Colorado 80504; www.sopriswest.com

http://www.cqc.state.ny.us/disawhs.htm
Disabilities Awareness: Articles by high school students

Martin, J.E., et al, (1996-97). Self-Directed IEP, Sopris West, 303-651-2829, http://www.sopriswest.com

Benson, P.L., et al, (1998). What Teens Need to Succeed: Proven, Practical Ways to Shape Your Own Future; Free Spirit Publishing Inc.; Minn., MN 55401; www.freespirit.com

Agencies

In a previous Ask a Specialist Q&A, I provided a list of adult agencies important to the Transition process. Please go to the following web site for this information. http://www.askaspecialist.ca.gov/archives/2003/transition/Jan_2003.htm.

Family involvement

http://www.cde.ca.gov/spbranch/sed/family.htm
This web site page provides information, resources and support to parents, guardians and families of children with disabilities

http://www.dcn-cde.ca.gov/dctrain/home.htm
Is My Child Too Young? A parent online training about Transition services mandated by IDEA. Information is provided for parents and their child so both can actively participate in the Transition IEP.

Miscellaneous

www.askaspecialist.ca.gov
A question and answer discussion forum featuring specialists in the following areas: assistive technology, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, behavior, school related medical issues, and transition.

http://www.dcn-cde.ca.gov
Home page for the Diagnostic Center North. Visits to this web site will provide descriptions of the many services offered by the center to special education students, their families, and school districts.