Socioeconomic status of Educable Mentally Retarded graduates of Special Education

Abstract

The economic status of 130 EMR graduates of Special School District, St. Louis County, Missouri was investigated. The graduates were randomly selected from the classes of 1962, 1965, 1968, 1971, 1974, and 1977. Current occupational data were collected and recorded from occupational records. Personal telephone interviews with each of the 130 individuals were conducted. Results showed that 68% of the individuals were in the civilian labor force. Of individuals in the labor force, only 7.9% were unemployed and the majority were earning a yearly income of approximately $7,000. Only one individual of the employed category was earning an income at poverty level. Sixty-three percent held unskilled and semiskilled jobs. Of the variables age, sex, race, IQ, and vocational training, age was the only variable found to be related to wage, i.e., the older the individual, the higher the wage.

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