Messages From Former Students and Families: Analysis of Statements From One State’s Post-School Outcomes Survey

Abstract

We conducted an exploratory descriptive qualitative study on extant data of responses to the state’s open-ended question from their annual post-school outcomes survey: “ If you could tell your school one thing, what would you tell them (make a suggestion to help better prepare current students for life after high school)?” Respondents from one northwest state consisted of former students with disabilities who had been out of school for 1 year or their designee. We analyzed 1,493 statements using consensual qualitative research–modified (CQR-M) method: a modification of CQR in which large quantities of simple qualitative data are analyzed inductively. Findings clustered in four domains: advice, help, satisfaction, and awareness. Implications for stakeholders and recommendations for further research are provided.

High School Experiences That Support Post-School Success: What Can We Learn?

“…We identified 10 themes based on the 1,212 responses. These findings built upon previous studies analyzing post-school outcomes data (Alverson & Yamamoto, 2019; Goldberg et al, 2003; McCall, 2015). We discuss our findings in relation to practices associated with the NTACT:C predictors of post-school success (Mazzotti et al, 2021; Rowe et al, 2014).…”

“…A few studies have analyzed post-school outcomes data to identify where improvement in quality transition service programming is needed (Alverson & Yamamoto, 2019; Benz et al, 2000; Goldberg et al, 2003; McCall, 2015; Morningstar et al, 2010). These studies have either used a survey approach or qualitative methods to ask students to identify positive high school experiences that may have had an effect on their post-school outcomes.…”

“…Although these studies used large data sets representing multiple disability categories and states, they had a wide array of age ranges. Alverson and Yamamoto (2019) asked students on the B14 survey to provide one suggestion about what was or would have been most helpful to them in high school. The suggestions from students fell within four domains: advice, satisfaction, awareness, and help.…”