CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES IN THE SCHOOL-TO-WORK TRANSITION FOR STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

Özet

Transitioning from school to adulthood presents significant hurdles for students with special needs, especially when it comes to finding independent living and work. Many students with special needs still find it difficult to adjust, even with the help of specialist programs and legal frameworks like the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The success of current transition programs is assessed in this systematic literature review (SLR), which also identifies the factors that support and impede successful post-school outcomes. The study examines research that were published between 2020 and 2024 using the PRISMA approach. The results underscore the significance of career guidance, skill-building initiatives, and therapeutic therapies in augmenting the employment opportunities available to students with special needs. Still, there are still many major challenges to overcome, including uneven application of evidence-based approaches, regional differences, and low parental participation. The analysis ends with suggestions for creating more individualized transition plans, enhancing parental involvement, and facilitating better access to technology tools. In order to better address the academic and vocational needs of students, future research should concentrate on improving curriculum in transition programs. Additionally, collaborative collaboration between educators, employers, and parents should be encouraged to ensure the holistic success of students.