Clare Burgess - Special Education

POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION FOR TRANSITION AGE STUDENTS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND OTHER DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES: A NATIONAL SURVEY

Transition programs based on college campuses for students with intellectual and other developmental disabilities (IDD) ages 18-21 provide an opportunity for age-appropriate inclusion when peers without disabilities graduate from high school at age 18. The purpose of this study was to examine the general characteristics of postsecondary education (PSE) programs for students with IDD and the extent to which students with IDD are participating in college classes through a national survey. Results suggest that (a) opportunities for students with IDD to participate in PSE programs may be limited to those students who are enrolled in school districts that fund and operate PSE programs and not open to all students, and (b) although many students with IDD are participating in college classes, the types of classes and the manner in which students participate appear to be linked to the level of students’ academic abilities and the type of postsecondary education institution at which the program is located. Implications for future research will be discussed.

To learn more, please contact Tamara Palmer at tlp205@lehigh.edu or 610.758.3226.