Enhancing Opportunities in Postsecondary Education for Deaf Students by John G. Schroedel and Douglas Watson (review)

Abstract

BOOK REVIEW Enhancing Opportunities in Postsecondary Education for Deaf Students. John G. Schroedel and Douglas Watson. 156 pages, soft cover. University of Arkansas Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Deafness and Hearing Impairment, Little Rock, AR, 1991. This book, composed of eight chapters, reports the results of a series of national research projects that examined the impact of postsecondary education on deaf students. Specifically, the authors present the results of six studies that investigated (1) the types of programs, administration, staff, and services available to postsecondary deaf students; (2) the characteristics, aspirations, and attainments of prospective graduates; (3) the availability and use of support services; (4) a follow-up of program graduates; (5) vocational rehabilitation policies and practices; and (6) the attitudes and opinions of professionals regarding the goals, needs, and conditions in postsecondary education of deaf students. The final chapter summarizes the results of each of these studies and presents a list of 14 recommendations for policy and practice in the future. The research presented in this text suggests that many deaf and hard-of-hearing people are succeeding and benefiting from the quality of their education and rehabilitation services. The authors report that, currently, a variety of programs provide diverse career training options and support services, that students have many opportunities to interact socially, and that graduates are generally satisfied with the quality of their training programs. However, the authors also note areas that are in need of improvement. For example, they found that 40% to 50% of deaf and hardof -hearing students who begin postsecondary training programs eventually drop out. Of those who do graduate, one in every five are unemployed nearly two years after completing their postsecondary training. The authors' recommendations have important implications for professionals in the field of deaf education and rehabilitation, regardless of the age of the people that they work with. For instance, the authors point out that more than half of the new jobs in the year 2000 and beyond will require postsecondary training. As a result, it has become increasingly more important for professionals working with deaf and hard-of-hearing students to focus on helping their students and clients develop the skills, attitudes, and strategies necessary for becoming life-long learners. Simultaneously , additional research efforts such as the studies presented in this text need to be undertaken so that interventions and practices that are effective can be continued and those that are not beneficial can be eliminated. In summary, the authors of this publication have examined an important component of the development and preparation of deaf students: postsecondary education. They present the results of their research in a highly readable manner and provide suggestions for future improvements . It is my hope that research and resources such as this become more readily available for professionals in the field of education and rehabilitation of deaf and hardof -hearing people. John Luckner, Ed.D. Deaf Education Program, Division of Special Education, University of Northern Colorado Greeley, CO 380 AAD Vol. 136, No. 5 ...