Education and Employment Outcomes from the RSA Data File for Transition-Age African American, White, and Hispanic Youth with Learning Disabilities

Abstract

Relationships among consumer demographic variables, services, and employment outcomes for 25,218 15 to 18 year old youth with learning disabilities were examined using the Rehabilitation Services Administration database from 2012. The 25,218 individuals were randomly split for cross-validation purposes into Sample One and Sample Two. A separate logistic regression was run for each sample. Variables significant for both samples included being African American, college and occupational training, and job placement. The correct classification of the logistic regression for Sample One was 67.1% and for Sample Two it was 66%. African American males had significantly lower successful employment rates than White or Hispanic males. African American females had significantly lower successful employment rates than White or Hispanic females. Mean earnings per week for White males and females combined were significantly higher than African American males and females combined. Hypotheses for the above findings include White and Hispanic youth using job placement resources at educational institutions, cultural mistrust, and rehabilitation counselors following youth’s expressed preferences. Implications for practice include engaging ethnically diverse consumers in vocational rehabilitation through an empowerment approach and viewing family involvement in transition planning as a continuum.