Secondary Special Education and Transition (SSET) is a multidisciplinary research unit dedicated to developing further scientific understanding of adolescents and young adults with disabilities and other high risk behaviors. Faculty within SSET conduct research, model development, and outreach activities to develop and implement research-based transition service that assist transition-age youth in developing knowledge and skills to succeed in fulfilling their desired adult roles, including meaningful employment, completion of postsecondary education or training programs, and living independently in the community. Our research is conducted in collaboration with schools, service agencies, parents, and youth.

What we do:

• Develop, implement, and evaluate interventions designed to improve the in-school and post-school outcomes of youth with disabilities and other high-risk youth.
• Develop and evaluate assessment tools to quantify outcomes and evaluate the impact of interventions.
• Examine how characteristics of individuals and families such as gender, race, and socioeconomic status affect the long-term outcomes of youth with disabilities and other high risk youth.
• Apply rigorous research methodology to the study of youth with disabilities and other high risk youth.
• Prepare graduate students at the masters and doctoral levels to assume leadership roles as secondary teachers, teacher educators, and researchers.
• Collaborate and provide technical assistance to families, schools, community agencies, and policy makers to design and implement interventions and policies to improve the long-term outcomes of youth with disabilities and other high-risk youth.
• Disseminate information on the effectiveness of our projects both locally and nationally.