Career Development and Transition for Exceptional Individuals

Virtual Job Interview Training: A Dose Response to Improve Employment for Transition-Age Youth With Disabilities
Smith MJ, Ryzin MV, Jordan N, Atkins M, Bornheimer LA, Sherwood K and Smith JD
and are job interview simulators with demonstrated effectiveness in randomized controlled trials. We evaluated their dose responses via secondary data analysis of 558 transition-age youth with disabilities in 47 schools where the simulators were implemented in quasi-experimental studies. Cut-point analyses determined dosing efficiency and efficacy to optimize competitive employment. The most efficient dose when accounting for the balance between dose and employment was completing nine virtual interviews. The most efficacious dose to maximize the likelihood of successful employment was 38, but varied across race, IQ, IDEA categories and employment history. This study provides a novel approach to inform implementation guidelines for virtual interview training in pre-employment transition services. Limitations and implications for research and practice are discussed.
Scaling Out Virtual Interview Training for Transition-Age Youth: A Quasi-Experimental Hybrid Effectiveness-Implementation Study
Smith MJ, Sherwood K, Ross B, Oulvey EA, Monahan JA, Sipovic JE, Atkins MS, Danielson EC, Jordan N and Smith JD
In a previous randomized controlled trial (RCT), (VIT-TAY) enhanced employment for autistic youth receiving transition services. For this study, a non-randomized hybrid effectiveness-implementation trial evaluated whether VIT-TAY maintained its core implementation and effectiveness functions when scaled out to students with disabilities in 32 schools. Also, we compared the implementation and effectiveness between VIT-TAY and (VR-JIT; developed for adults and previously evaluated in students with disabilities). Core implementation functions did not differ between VIT-TAY and VR-JIT. Greater engagement with either training was significantly associated with employment (both < 0.05). Overall, VIT-TAY was feasibly implemented with high adherence and may be effective at enhancing employment for students with disabilities. Limitations and implications for research and practice are discussed.
Aligning Transition Services with Secondary Educational Reform: A Position Statement of the Division on Career Development and Transition
Morningstar ME, Bassett DS, Cashman J, Kochhar-Bryant C and Wehmeyer ML
Society has witnessed significant improvements in the lives of students receiving transition services over the past 30 years. The field of transition has developed an array of evidence-based interventions and promising practices, however, secondary school reform efforts have often overlooked these approaches for youth without disabilities. If we are to see improvements in postsecondary outcomes for all youth, reform efforts must begin with active participation of both general and special educators and critical home, school, and community stakeholders. In the Division on Career Development for Exceptional Individuals' position paper, we discuss the evolution of transition in light of reform efforts in secondary education. We review and identify secondary educational initiatives that embrace transition principles. Finally, recommendations are provided for advancing alignment of transition services with secondary education reforms.
An Evaluation of the Model on the Self-Determination of Students with Intellectual Disability
Palmer SB, Wehmeyer ML, Shogren K, Williams-Diehm K and Soukup J
Students with intellectual disability are often served in community-based services to promote effective adult outcomes in employment, community inclusion, and independent living (Gaumer, Morningstar & Clark (2004). (Wehmeyer, Garner, Lawrence, Yeager, & Davis, 2006), a multi-stage model to promote student involvement in educational planning, was effectively used by 109 students with mild and moderate levels of intellectual disability between 17.8 and 21 years of age to increase student abilities. Results are discussed in regard to improved transition opportunities for individuals with intellectual disability such as those afforded through post-secondary education.