Career Development and Transition for Exceptional Individuals

Data from the National Longitudinal Transition Study–2 (NLTS2) were used to examine the patterns of career and technical education (CTE) course taking in high school by students receiving special education services for emotional disturbances (ED). Descriptive analyses indicate the extent of such course taking by students with ED and their engagement in a concentrated program of occupationally specific general education CTE, a level of CTE course taking that early research has linked to improved post–high school employment outcomes. Propensity scoring methods were used to determine the extent to which either type of CTE course taking was related to higher odds of full-time employment after high school and whether results differed with the length of time post high school. There was a significant positive effect for participating in a concentration of occupationally specific CTE in the first 2 post–high school years, but effects were non-significant for later years. Results showed no benefits of CTE course taking overall. The implications for high school programming and transition planning are discussed.

Research has consistently documented poor employment outcomes for young adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Vocational rehabilitation (VR) services provide substantial federal and state commitments to individuals with disabilities to obtain and maintain employment. To date, little research has examined the relationship between VR services and employment outcomes of clients with ASD. The purpose of this descriptive study was to better understand employment outcomes of individuals with ASD. Data spanning 10 years from the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) 911 database were analyzed to identify characteristics of VR clients with ASD and the services they received. The percent of individuals who achieved competitive employment averaged 37% across the 10 years. Those who achieved an employment outcome participated in twice as many services as those who did not achieve an employment outcome.

Under-employment for individuals with disabilities is a worldwide epidemic, which Singapore has addressed by significantly increasing employment rates for this population. Providing work experiences for youth with disabilities at community-based job sites has been shown to increase positive post-school employment outcomes. To provide these opportunities, employment specialists benefit from developing partnerships with businesses. For this study, 14 Singaporean employment specialists, from five different schools and one government agency, were interviewed to better understand strategies utilized to nurture these valuable partnerships with businesses. Data suggest effective partnerships include (a) direct support for employers, (b) job matching, (c) job customization, (d) involving businesses in the school community, and (e) parent involvement. Implications and recommendations for future research are also discussed.

Gender differences have been found in post-school outcomes of students with disabilities, yet these differences are rarely examined. To determine whether male and female high school students with disabilities scored differently in non-academic behaviors known to affect post-school education and employment measured by the Transition Assessment and Goal Generator, we analyzed scores provided by 1,537 high school students with disabilities, 836 family members, and 139 professionals from 30 states. Findings revealed no difference in full-scale scores on Professional or Student versions based on gender of the student. Family members’ overall scores for females were significantly higher, yet the difference was slight. Some differences were found at the construct level on all three versions. Construct differences and implications are discussed.

Self-determination skill development is a central construct in the field of secondary special education. Recently, there has been discussion to revisit the motivational theoretical roots that influence the conceptualization of self-determination in special education, and merge motivational theories with instructional practices. Self-determination can be taught in a variety of formats, but one popular means is through self-determination curricula. To determine how motivational theories are reflected in self-determination instruction, a curriculum analysis was completed. Three motivational theories (contextual theory, self-determination theory, achievement goal theory) and three self-determination curricula (Steps to Self-Determination, Whose Future Is it Anyway?, and ME! Lessons for Teaching Self-Awareness and Self-Advocacy) were analyzed. Results indicated variability of the presence of motivational theory across curriculum.

Positive teacher–student relationships provide adolescents with disabilities the confidence to explore new challenges in and out of the classroom. Goal-setting and self-determination skills have been consistently shown to promote healthy transition adjustment among students with disabilities. Despite the growing awareness of the importance of positive teacher–student relationships and self-determination, there is a paucity of specific strategies designed to improve teacher–student relationships while supporting self-determination for adolescents with high-incidence disabilities. This practitioner-focused article describes the Adolescent Goal-Setting Intervention (AGSI) and how it can be implemented in an educational context to promote teacher–student relationships and self-determination.