Affiliations: The Urban Institute, 2100 M Street, Washington, DC
20037, USA. Tel.: +1 202 261 5352; Fax: +1 202 833 4388;
E-mail:Dwittenb@ui.urban.org | Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA | The Lewin Group, 3130 Fairview Park Drive, Suite 800,
Falls Church, VA 22042, USA
Note: [] Corresponding author
Abstract: This paper characterizes the programs the complex set of programs
that may affect the transition from school to work for a youth with a
disability. Given the emphasis on accountability for outcomes in the recent
IDEA legislation, it will be increasingly important for both researchers and
policy makers to understand the interaction of school and non-school programs
on the economic decisions of youth with disabilities. Unfortunately, there are
relatively limited existing resources to examine these program overlaps. We
propose that government agencies consider various options to improve in this
area by adding information on special education participation to major surveys
efforts; developing existing administrative databases that include information
on programs that serve youth with disabilities; and using qualitative methods
to examine how the strategies in adult-based programs interact with those used
by youth while they were in-school.
Keywords: school to work transition, youth with disabilities, program participation, IDEA, SSI
