Next, internal focus groups were established to address each of the five areas. Each focus group consisted of 7–10 members and included both national organization representatives and experts from the field. Group members also represented the perspectives of youth with and without disabilities, family members, educators, administrators, researchers, service providers, and employers.
NASET members participated in several daylong facilitated discussions to collectively describe the five areas and define associated standards and indicators of effective practice. The standards and indicators were derived from research as well as from members’ experiences with and knowledge about best practices in secondary education, transition, youth development, family involvement, workforce preparation, and service coordination.