Many handicapped workers fail in competitive employment situations for social reasons rather than for the inability to perform required work tasks. Such individuals are usually those who need to be trained under conditions more closely matching those of the workplace. Thus, work-related social skills should be taught, at least in part, in work…

The development and implementation of the Dallas Independent School District's Basic Objectives Assessment Test (BOAT) are described. Beginning in 1979, this minimum competency test was administered system-wide to all students in grades 8-12 (except for those enrolled as special education students), and beginning in 1983 it will be used in…

The Communication Experience Approach (CEA), a modification of the Language Experience Approach to teaching reading, involves the use of group activities designed to help functionally illiterate persons learn basic communication skills. This paper first discusses six distinct processes in the CEA: setting a specific purpose for communicating,…

Increases in competency testing as a basis for student promotion and graduation are described. Examines the complexities and implementation of minimal competency testing and argues for consideration of unresolved issues: (1) definition of "minimal competency," (2) determination of appropriate measures, and (3) use of minimal competency concept in…

A videotape modeling procedure used in conjunction with shopping training in one natural environment was effective with three autistic young adults in promoting generalization of purchasing skills to community stores. These and other results of the use of videotapes as a means of program generalization in community training programs are discussed.…

Examination of the acquisition, maintenance, and generalization of three cooking skills by three multiply and severely handicapped blind adolescents revealed that a "whole task" approach was successful in teaching the subjects to boil an egg, grill cheese, and cook a TV dinner. These skills also generalized to other cooking products. (Author/CB)

Four female mildly mentally retarded subjects (ages 17-21) were trained individually in a simulated bank setting at their school. After training, subjects were able to generalize newly trained skills to real community settings though some additional in-vivo training was required for perfect performance. (Author/DB)

This article explains how a 12-year-old boy with profound mental retardation and autistic behaviors, living in a group home, was taught to follow number- and color-coded directions so that he could independently cook his own meals in a microwave oven. The article covers materials used, the skills taught, adaptations for classroom use, and safety…

Behavior problems demanding severe disciplinary actions are disruptive, eroding forces in classrooms. Effective group guidance programs have students keep track of concerns, problems, or difficulties encountered. The Problem Tracker, allowing students to record stressful or problematic situations, provides a buffer permitting more thoughtful…

The booklet is part of a grade 10-12 social studies series produced for bilingual education. The series consists of six major thematic modules, with four to five booklets in each. The interdisciplinary modules are based on major ideas and designed to help students understand some major human problems and make sound, responsive decisions to improve…

This publication summarizes a state program for youth in substitute care. The report includes a description of county, private agency, and state staff efforts; program expenditures; a description of youth served and how they were helped in the transition from foster care to independent living; and recommendations for the coming year. The central…

One of a series of modules designed to help people in Oklahoma become more self-sufficient in their personal and professional lives, this document is designed to introduce secondary and postsecondary students to the daily management of a personal wardrobe. The three units in this document are wardrobe planning, selecting clothing, and clothing…

This transition planning guide is intended as a resource for parents of severely handicapped students approaching or at the legal age for leaving public school services and entering community services. The guide was developed after a 2-year transition project, Project Impact, revealed common concerns and questions which parents and teachers…

The new information age society demands a new set of new survival skills. Instead of memorizing facts, students should learn how to gather useful information about work and leisure opportunities. The information-gathering skill can be creatively taught around any specific content area. Two areas that can effectively embody this type of instruction…