Guideposts for Success

About the Guideposts for Success

The transition from youth to adulthood is challenging for almost every young person. This is particularly true for young people with disabilities. Yet, it is in those crucial transition-age years that a young person's future can be determined.

An extensive literature review of research, demonstration projects and effective practices -- including lessons from youth development, quality education, and workforce development programs -- suggests that all youth need:

• Access to high quality standards-based education regardless of the setting;
• Information about career options and exposure to the world of work; including structured internships;
• Opportunities to develop social, civic, and leadership skills;
• Strong connections to caring adults;
• Access to safe places to interact with their peers; and,
• Support services and specific accommodations to allow them to become independent adults.

The Guideposts can help steer families, institutions and youth themselves through the transition processes.

Key Principles to Remember

Who Should Use Them & How

• Learn how Maryland's Department of Education uses them
• Learn how the South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation Department uses them

Download the Guideposts

• Microsoft Word 
• Adobe PDF

• Microsoft Word
• Adobe PDF

Related Resources:

State Perspectives on Using the Guideposts:

• Maryland
• South Carolina

Guideposts for:

• Employers Success
• Youth Involved in the Juvenile Corrections System
• Youth in Foster Care
• Youth with Mental Health Needs
• Youth with Learning Disabilties
• Families

The Guideposts & Specific Needs

Each of the five guideposts are listed below along with the corresponding specific needs for each guidepost.

School-Based Preparatory Experiences

Career Preparation & Work-Based Learning Experiences

Youth Development & Leadership

Connecting Activities

Family Involvement & Supports

Supporting Evidence

All the work of the National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth is research-based. Acting on behalf of the National Center on Secondary Education and Transition and the Collaborative, IEL’s Center for Workforce Development took the lead in collecting and compiling the research for the Guideposts and the corresponding NASET transition standards and indicators. The research summary is a living document and will be updated periodically.

The research summary and citations are available in Adobe PDF and Microsoft Word format.

• Research Summary and Citations in Microsoft Word format
• Research Summary and Citations in Adobe PDF format

Full reference: National Alliance for Secondary Education and Transition. (2005). National standards and quality indicators: Transition toolkit for systems improvement. Minneapolis, MN: University of Minnesota, National Center on Secondary Education and Transition.