This brief highlights the benefits of work-based learning for students with disabilities, what constitutes quality work-based learning, and selected evidence-based models of work-based learning. Benefits to students include providing them with the opportunity to identify career interests, skills, and abilities, explore career goals, develop employability skills, and gain work experience. Characteristics of quality work-based programs are listed and include clear program goals; clear roles and responsibilities for work site supervisors, mentors, teachers, support personnel, and other partners; training plans that specify learning goals tailored to individual students with specific outcomes connected to student learning; convenient links among students, schools, and employers; on-the-job learning; range of work-based learning opportunities; mentor(s) at work site; clear expectations and feedback to assess progress toward goals; assessments to identify skills, interests, and support needs; reinforcement of work-based learning outside of work; and appropriate academic, social, and administrative support for students, employers, and all partners. Successful models of work-based learning programs are highlighted, including the "High School/High Tech" model and the "Bridges... from School to Work" program. The issue concludes with a list of basic responsibilities of students, teachers, and employers that contribute to the effectiveness of work-based learning experiences. (Contains 13 references.) (CR)