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. Part of a successful future includes finding and keeping work. The total employment rate is projected to increase by 15% in the first decade of the twenty-first century. Employment in occupations that generally require a college degree or other postsecondary credential is projected to grow much faster than other jobs across all occupations. Jobs requiring work-related training will still account for the majority of the new positions.

An extensive literature review of research, demonstration projects and effective practices covering a wide range of programs and services -- including lessons from youth development, quality education, and workforce development programs -- has identified core commonalities across the disciplines, programs, and institutional settings. The review also points out that no one institution or organization can provide the full range of services; thus, highlighting the interdependence of agencies that requires communities, states, the federal government and multiple organizations at all levels to collaborate with one another in order to help assure quality transitions for all youth.

The applicable literature 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 and are built on the following underlying assumptions:

1. Highest expectations for all youth, including youth with disabilities;
2. Equality of opportunity for everyone, including nondiscrimination, individualization, and inclusion and integration;
3. Full participation through self-determination, informed choice, and participation in decision making;
4. Independent living, including skill development and long term supports and services;
5. Competitive employment and economic self sufficiency, which may include supports; and,
6. Individualized, person-driven, and culturally and linguistically appropriate transition planning.

Download the Guideposts

• Guideposts for Success in Microsoft Word (English)
  
• Guideposts for Success in Adobe PDF (English)
  
• Guideposts for Success in Microsoft Word (Spanish)
• Guideposts for Success in Adobe PDF (Spanish)

Also Read

• Guideposts for Employers Success
• Guideposts for Success for Youth Involved in the Juvenile Corrections System
• Guideposts for Success for Youth with Mental Health Needs
• Guideposts for Success for Youth in Foster Care

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.