Predicting Participation in Postsecondary Education for School Leavers with Disabilities

Abstract

This study examined predictors of participation in postsecondary education for school leavers with disabilities, using instruments, procedures, and logistic regression analyses that were used in an original study. Both studies found six predictors to be associated with participation in postsecondary education: (a) high scores on a functional achievement inventory, (b) completing instruction successfully in certain relevant curricular areas, (c) participating in transition planning (d) parent satisfaction and (e) student satisfaction with instruction received by the student, and (f) parent perception that the student no longer needed help in certain critical skill areas.

Identifying Nonacademic Behaviors Associated With Post-School Employment and Education

“…Doren & Benz, 1998Goldberg et al, 2003 Logistic Regression Qualitative Ethnography Student successfully participates in small groups to complete projects. Goldberg et al, 2003Halpern, Yovanoff, Doren, & Benz, 1995 Qualitative Ethnography Logistic Regression Student participates in community organizations, such as sports clubs or organized social groups. Doren & Benz, 1998Goldberg et al, 2003 Logistic Regression Qualitative Ethnography Student participates in school teams, clubs, or other groups.…”

“…Doren & Benz, 1998Goldberg et al, 2003 Logistic Regression Qualitative Ethnography Student participates in school teams, clubs, or other groups. Halpern et al, 1995 Logistic Regression Goldberg et al, 2003Raskind et al, 1999Thoma & Getzel, 2005 Qualitative Ethnography Correlation and Descriptive Qualitative Student determines effectiveness of his or her plans to attain goals. Raskind et al, 2002 Qualitative Student adjusts plans to attain goals if they do not work.…”

The effects of transition intervention on students with mild disabilities.

“…Predictors need to be considered in policy and program development to assist students with disabilities in attaining entrance and becoming successful in postsecondary education. Halpern et al (1995) replicated studies and compared results from similar studies in 1990. They found that these six variables remained constant.…”

“…The elimination of the nine predictors that did not work was significant since it seems to indicate that program and policy development efforts need more effort than overcoming demographic bias (p. 161). Since demographic data were significant in a previous study concerning employment (Halpern et al, 1995), it is possible that similar bias may not exist when postsecondary education participation is considered (p. 161). Three additional "nondemographic variables were found to be ineffective predictors in both samples" (p. 161, emphasis in original): participation in integrated instruction during high school, student drop out status, and the existence of expectations agreed on by both student and parent that postsecondary education was the goal.…”

“…This means that the students were able to understand their learning disability and appropriately express to their instructors what accommodations they need to be successful in the class (p. 1). Halpern, Yovanoff, Doren, and Benz (1995) conducted a 3-year follow-along study beginning with a representative sample of students 17 years of age or older in their final year of high school. They examined predictors of participation in postsecondary education for students with disabilities in Oregon (n = 315), Nevada (n = 107), and Arizona (n = 565).…”