Research

I am sharing with the committee my past 10 years since of published peer-reviewed journal articles (36 publications) as well as my website (transitioncoalition.org) and a sample of book chapters, digital and web-based professional development and instruments. These products reflect my history of research and impact within the field of secondary transition, special education and college and career readiness. This sample reflects my research focus: (a) secondary transition inclusive educational reform and (b) teacher education and professional development. One value reflective throughout my career is the collaborative nature of research as is evident with many publications collaboration with graduate students and other colleagues. Most recently, I have collaborated with PSU faculty in order to ensure high quality grant submission (see letters from Dr. Todd Bodner and Dr. Mary Oshwald) My scholarship extends over many years, both before and after joining the faculty ranks. In terms of overall productivity over the course of my academic career, I have published over 50 articles in peer-reviewed journals, more than 20 book chapters, 5 transition evaluation instruments, 16 monographs and technical reports, and over 40 digital and web-based professional development products. I have published a well-received textbook, Your Complete Guide to Transition Planning and Services (2018) for transition educators, with a second book on college and career readiness, College and Career Readiness for Youth with Disabilities: Strategies and Approaches for Educators, under contract. I have sustained a highly successful record of federal and state support for applied research, the development of model transition programs, teacher education and doctoral leadership totaling over $20 million during the course of my research career. My international, national, statewide and regional conference presentations, workshops and trainings are extensive and illustrate my capacity to ensure that research is translated and disseminated into practice.

Peer-Reviewed Research Publications 2009-2019

1. Carlson, S. R., Morningstar, M. E., & Munandar, V. (in press, July 2019). Workplace supports for employees with intellectual disability: A systematic review of the intervention literature. Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation. (LINK)
2. Trainor, A.A., Carter, E.W., Karpur, A., Martin, J., Mazzotti, V.L., Morningstar, M.E., Newman, L., & Rojewski, J.W. (Online First, May 2019). A framework for research in transition: Identifying future investments for the field. Career Development and Transition for Exceptional Individuals. DOI: 2165143419864551. (LINK)
3. Lee, H.J., & Morningstar, M.E. (2019). Investigating predictors of community participation of youth with significant disabilities. Research and Practice for Persons with Severe Disabilities, 44(3), 186-199. (LINK)
4. Wehmeyer, M.L., Nota, L., Soresi, S., Shogren, K.A., Morningstar, M.E., Ferrari, L., Sgaramella, T.M., & DiMaggio, L. (2019). A crisis in career development: Life designing and implications for transition. Hammill Institute on Disabilities, 1-9. doi:10.1177/2165143417750092. (LINK)
5. Morningstar, M.E., & Shoemaker, A. (2018). Options and skills necessary for navigating a successful transition to postsecondary education. New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education, 39-49. DOI: 10.1002/ace.20298. (LINK)
6. Wilt, C. L., & Morningstar, M. E. (2018). Parent engagement in the transition from school to adult life through culturally sustaining practices: A scoping review. American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 56(5), 307-320. (LINK)
7. Bross, L. A., Travers, J. C., Munundar, V. D., & Morningstar, M. (2018). Video modeling to improve customer service skills of an employed young adult with autism. Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities. 1-10. DOI: 10.1177/1088357618805990 (LINK)
8. Kurth, J.A., Morningstar, M.E., Hicks, T.A., Templin, J. (2018). Exploring the relationship between school transformation and inclusion: A Bayesian multilevel longitudinal analysis. Inclusion. [Special Issue, Invited]. 6, 19-32. doi: 10.1352/2326-6988-6.1.19. (LINK)
9. Morningstar, M.E., Lombardi, A., Test, D. (2018). Including college and career readiness within a multi-tiered systems of support framework. AERA Open. [Special Issue, Invited]. 4, 1-11. doi: 10.1177/2332858418761880. (LINK)
10. Morningstar, M.E., Hirano, K.A., Roberts-Dahm, L.D., Teo, N., & Kleinhammer-Tramill, P.J. (2017). Examining the status of transition-focused content within educator preparation programs. Career Development and Transition for Exceptional Individuals. [Special Issue, Invited]. (LINK)
11. Holzberg, D. G., Clark, K. A., & Morningstar, M. E. (2018). Transition-focused professional development: An annotated bibliography of essential elements and features of professional development. Career Development and Transition for Exceptional Individuals, 41(1), 50-55. [Special Issue, Invited]. (LINK)
12. Morningstar, M.E., Lombardi, A., Fowler, C.H., & Test, D.W. (2017). A college and career readiness framework for secondary students with disabilities. Career Development and Transition for Exceptional Individuals. doi: 10.1177/2165143415589926. (LINK)
13. Morningstar, M.E., Zagona, A.L., Uyanik, H., Xie, J., & Mahal, S. (2017). Implementing college and career readiness standards: Critical dimensions for youth with significant disabilities. Research and Practice for Persons with Severe Disabilities. [Special Issue, Invited]. 42(3), 187-204. (LINK)
14. Morningstar, M.E., Kurth, J.A., & Johnson, P. (2017). Examining the past decade of education settings for students with significant disabilities. Remedial and Special Education. 38(1), 3-12. (LINK)
15. Morningstar, M.E., & Kurth, J. A. (2017). Status of inclusive educational placement for students with extensive and pervasive support needs. Inclusion. 5 (2), 83-93. (LINK)
16. Morningstar, M.E., Allcock, H.C., White, J.M, Taub, D., Kurth, J.A., Gonsier-Gerdin, J., Ryndak, D., Sauer, J. & Jorgensen, C. (2016). Inclusive education national research advocacy agenda: A call to action. Research and Practice for Persons with Severe Disabilities, 1-7. doi:10.1177/1540796916650975. (LINK)
17. Morningstar, M.E., Trainor, A.A., & Murray, A.K. (2015). Examining outcomes associated with adult life engagement for youth adults with high incidence disabilities. Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation.43(3), 195-208. doi: 103233/JVR-150769. (LINK)
18. Trainor, A.A., Morningstar, M.E., & Murray, A.K. (2015). Characteristics of transition planning and services for students with high-incidence disabilities. Learning Disabilities Quarterly. doi: 10.1177/0731948715607348. (LINK)
19. Morningstar, M.E., Lee, H., Lattin, D.L., & Murray, A.K (2015). An evaluation of the technical adequacy of a revised measure of quality indicators of transition. Career Development and Transition for Exceptional Individuals. doi: 10.1177/2165143415589925. (LINK)
20. Morningstar, M.E., Shogren, K.A., Lee, H., Born, K. (2015). Preliminary lessons about supporting participation and learning in inclusive classrooms. Research and Practice for Persons with Severe Disabilities. 40(3), 193-210. doi:10.1177/1540796915594158. (LINK)
21. Kurth, J., Morningstar, M. E., & Kozleski, E. B. (2015) The persistence of highly restrictive special education placements for students with low-incidence disabilities. Research and Practice for Persons with Severe Disabilities 39(3) 227-239. doi: 10.1177/1540796914555580. (LINK)
22. Ryndak, D. L., Taub, D., Jorgensen, C. M., Gonsier-Gerdin, J., Arndt, K., Morningstar, M. E., et al. (2014). Policy and the impact on placement, involvement, and progress in general education: Critical issues that require rectification. Research and Practice for Persons with Severe Disabilities, 39(1), 65-74. doi: 10.1177/1540796914533942. (LINK)
23. Kim, K. H., Morningstar, M. E., & Jung, S. (2014). Preliminary study: Special education doctoral students’ perceptions of self-determination. International Journal of Disability, Development and Education, 61(4), 388-402. (LINK)
24. Mazzotti, V. L., Rowe, D. A., Cameto, R., Test, D. W., & Morningstar, M. E. (2013). Identifying and promoting transition evidence-based practices and predictors of success: A position paper of the Division on Career Development and Transition. Career Development and Transition for Exceptional Individuals, 36(3), 140-151. doi: 10.1177/2165143413503365. (LINK)
25. Trainor, A. A., Morningstar, M. E., Murray, A., & Kim, H. (2013). Social capital during the postsecondary transition for young adults with high incidence disabilities. Prevention Researcher, 20(2), 7-10. doi: 10.1080/09362830903028465. (LINK)
26. Morningstar, M.E. & Benitez, D. (2013). Teacher training matters: The results of a multistate survey of secondary special educators regarding transition from school to adulthood. Teacher Education and Special Education, 36(1), 51-64. doi: 10.1177/0888406412474022. (LINK)
27. Kim, K., Kim, J., & Morningstar, M. E. (2013). Secondary special education teachers’ perceptions of preparation for and satisfaction with transition education and services. Disability & Employment, 23(1), 209-234. doi: 10.15707/disem.2013.23.1.009. (LINK)
28. Kang, M. J., Petr, C.G., Morningstar, M.E. (2012). Improving the transition-to-adulthood outcomes of youths with emotional and behavioral disabilities. School Social Work Journal, Vol. 37(1), 54-74. (LINK)
29. Morningstar, M. E., Bassett, D. S., Kochhar-Bryant, C., Cashman, J., & Wehmeyer, M. L. (2012). Aligning transition services with secondary education reform: A position statement of the Division on Career Development and Transition. Career Development and Transition for Exceptional Individuals, 35(3), 132-142. doi: 10.1177/2165143412454915. (LINK)
30. Noonan, P.M., Gaumer Erickson, A., Morningstar, M.E. (2012). Effects of community transition teams on interagency collaboration for school and adult agency staff. Career Development for Exceptional Individuals. 36(2), 96-104. doi: 10.1177/2165143412451119. (LINK)
31. Kellems, R. O., & Morningstar, M. E. (2012). Using video modeling delivered through iPods to teach vocational tasks to young adults with autism spectrum disorders. Career Development and Transition for Exceptional Individuals, 35(3)155-167. doi: 10.1177/0885728812443082. (LINK)
32. Kim, K H., Morningstar, M.E., Gaumer Erickson, A. (2011). Strategies for successfully completing online professional development. International Journal of Knowledge Content Development & Technology, 1 (2) 43-51. doi: 10.5865/IJKCT.2011.1.2.043. (LINK)
33. Kellems, R.O., & Morningstar, M.E. (2010). Tips for transition. TEACHING Exceptional Children, 43(2), 60-68. doi: 10.1177/004005991004300206. (LINK)
34. Morningstar, M.E., Frey, B.B., Noonan, P., Ng, J., Clavenna-Deane, B., Graves, P., Kellems, R., McCall, Z., Pearson, M., Bjorkman Wade, D., & Williams-Diehm, W. (2010). A preliminary investigation of the relationship of transition preparation and self-determination for students with disabilities in postsecondary educational settings. Career Development for Exceptional Individuals, 33(2), 80-94. doi: 10.1177/0885728809356568. (LINK)
35. Benitez, D., Morningstar, M.E., & Frey, B. (2009). A multistate survey of special education teachers’ perceptions of their transition competencies. Career Development for Exceptional Individuals, 32(1), 6-16. doi: 10.1177/0885728808323945. (LINK)
36. Gaumer Erickson, A.S., & Morningstar, M.E. (2009). The impact of alternate high school exit certificates on access to postsecondary education. Exceptionality, 17(3), 150-163. doi: 10.1080/09362830903028465. (LINK)

Research Awards

1. 2017 Oliver P. Kolstoe Award for Significant Contribution to the Field of Career Development and Transition, Council of Exceptional Children, Division of Career Development and Transition.
2. 2015 Marc Gold Innovative Practices in Transition Award, Council for Exceptional Children, Division of Career Development and Transition.