An Investigation Into Post-Secondary Options and Outcomes for Students with Intellectual Disabilities
Session Title
Education across Disciplines
College
College of Education
Department
Counseling, Leadership and Educational Studies
Abstract
This research and review discusses post-secondary options and outcomes for students with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities who have graduated from or completed high school. Options such as post-secondary education programs, vocational or technical programs or careers, and entry-level workforce jobs are options that are discussed in depth. Curricula that are taught to students with intellectual disabilities are discussed, and the effects of general education inclusion on these students and their success is considered, as well. Graduation options including alternate diplomas (certificates of completion, certificates of attendance, and diplomas based on meeting IEP goals) are explained and analyzed as potentially viable options presented to students with disabilities and their families in order to help these students graduate from or complete high school by the time they age out of the services they receive through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA 2004) and through Free and Public Education (FAPE). The researchers conducted a short survey of the family members of participants in a Think College post-secondary education program to gain insight into the questions they were asking in their study. The survey was distributed through the Think College program, approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB), and the results of the survey are explained and discussed.
Honors Thesis Committee
Bradley Witzel, Ed.D.; Linda Pickett, Ph.D.; and Crystal Glover, Ph.D.
Start Date
12-4-2019 1:00 PM
An Investigation Into Post-Secondary Options and Outcomes for Students with Intellectual Disabilities
WEST 214
This research and review discusses post-secondary options and outcomes for students with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities who have graduated from or completed high school. Options such as post-secondary education programs, vocational or technical programs or careers, and entry-level workforce jobs are options that are discussed in depth. Curricula that are taught to students with intellectual disabilities are discussed, and the effects of general education inclusion on these students and their success is considered, as well. Graduation options including alternate diplomas (certificates of completion, certificates of attendance, and diplomas based on meeting IEP goals) are explained and analyzed as potentially viable options presented to students with disabilities and their families in order to help these students graduate from or complete high school by the time they age out of the services they receive through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA 2004) and through Free and Public Education (FAPE). The researchers conducted a short survey of the family members of participants in a Think College post-secondary education program to gain insight into the questions they were asking in their study. The survey was distributed through the Think College program, approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB), and the results of the survey are explained and discussed.
