From School to Adult Living: A Forum on Issues and Trends

Abstract

This article presents a forum for the personal views of four significant contributors to the conceptualization and implementation of transition programming as it exists in this country today. These individuals were selected from among a number of active contributors to the transition movement as representative spokespersons for the field. The questions posed by the guest editors were developed from ideas and concerns that surfaced in the many manuscripts submitted for consideration in this special issue. Some of the issues raised in the questions reflect concerns expressed openly by professionals in the field, while others were inferred from more subtle or cautious statements. Each contributor received a set of questions to address. Each question was given to at least two contributors. They were encouraged to respond not only to their own set, but to any question of interest contained in other contributors' sets as well. As a result, a few questions were addressed by all four contributors. Their responses appear to reflect some consensus regarding the importance of the issues and trends suggested in the questions. Even so, the substance of their responses reflects a range of positions that would provoke keen consideration by readers.