Effective Practices
Transition education and services should be grounded in quality research. To do so, practitioners need information on which practices and programs are effective for students and youth with disabilities.
They also need to be able to build services, instruction, and supports around factors associated with postschool success.
Effective practices are........
specific interventions to teach skills to secondary students and youth with disabilities and are based on the results of intervention research. The effective practices we identify have been evaluated regarding the amount, type, and quality of the research conducted and are labeled as:
- evidence-based,
- research-based, or
- promising
These designations indicate the confidence in the likely effectiveness of the intervention when implemented as defined and recommended.
Download the Effective Practices Definitions (PDF)
There are also many practices in the fields of secondary education, vocational rehabilitation, and other services for youth and young adults with disabilities which do not yet have a rigorous research basis for their effectiveness. We continue to support researchers to build an evidence base and practitioners to implement practices using the best available evidence.
What's New
Key Resources
Critical Subtopics
Practice Descriptions & Lesson Starters
Start with a skill to be learned and find a related effective practice to teach this skill and lesson starters to use with students. Find Practice Descriptions and Lesson Starters.Predictors of Postschool Success
Predictors of postschool success for students and youth with disabilities and effective practices aligned with them: Predictors of Postschool Success.Research Review
Research supporting effective practices and predictors of postschool success: Research Review of Effective Practices.
Evidence-Based Practices
- demonstrates a strong record of success for improving outcomes
- uses rigorous research designs
- adheres to indicators of quality research
Research-Based Practices
- demonstrates a sufficient record of success for improving outcomes
- uses rigorous research designs
- may adhere to indicators of quality research
Promising Practices
- demonstrates some success for improving outcomes
- more quality research is needed to raise to an evidence- or research-based practice
What are predictors of post-school success?
They are evidence-based, research-based, and promising services, supports, and/or acquired skills that have been identified through correlational research to be associated with improved post-school outcomes for students with disabilities.
We are regularly reviewing more practices and research and will be continuing to add resources (including Lesson Plan starters) on a regular basis. Be sure to put your favorites in your Member Dashboard! If you are looking for a resource, please Contact Us.
Resources from Other Sources
