National Longitudinal Transition Study Research Articles

Future Goal Aspirations of Students With Extensive Support Needs: Findings From NLTS 2012.

This study used data from the National Longitudinal Transition Study 2012 (NLTS 2012) to explore the future goal aspirations of students with extensive support needs who participate in alternate assessments, compared to other students with extensive support needs and to students with other disabilities. We examined students' individualized education program (IEP)/transition planning meeting experiences and postschool goals in relation to their functional, communication, and self-advocacy skills, as well as their school/community support. Students with other disabilities held higher expectations than all students with extensive support needs for future participation in postsecondary education, employment, independent living, and financial independence. All students had higher postschool goal expectations than their parents. Implications for supporting students with extensive support needs and directions for future research and practice are discussed.

Exploring the Relationship Between Self-Determination and Economic Hardship Constructs Among Adolescents With and Without Disabilities

In this registered report, we examined interrelationships between established constructs of self-determination and economic hardship using data from the National Longitudinal Transition Study 2012 (NLTS2012). We tested the hypothesized factor structure of selected NLTS2012 items assessing constructs associated with self-determination (i.e., autonomy, psychological empowerment, and self-realization) using the full sample of youth with and without disabilities. Using latent variable modeling, we explored interrelationships among these constructs and economic hardship across disability and race/ethnicity groups. The self-determination constructs were confirmed, two of which (autonomy and psychological empowerment) resulted in significant inverse relationships with economic hardship. Different patterns emerged for youth with intersecting identities of disability, race, and ethnicity. Findings will inform culturally responsive approaches to transition service delivery that address and reduce systemic barriers, as well as provide support for promoting self-determination skills for all youth.

Postschool Goal Expectations for Youth With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.

Using National Longitudinal Transition Study 2012 data, this study explored parent and youth expectations in the areas of postsecondary education, employment, independent living, and financial independence. Compared to youth with other disabilities, youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their parents had much lower expectations for the four postschool goals, and parent expectations were much lower than youth's own expectations. Also, youth's race, along with their daily living skills and functional abilities, were positively associated with parent and youth expectations in several future goal areas. Our discussion highlights implications for improving the transition experiences of youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Social support among English learners with disabilities and other adolescents.

Social support is important for many youth but may be particularly important for English learners (ELs) with disabilities, a population that has historically faced barriers accessing resources to meet their educational needs. The current study investigates social support from parents, peers, teachers, and schools in a nationally representative sample of adolescents. Data from the National Longitudinal Transition Study 2012 was used to evaluate potential group differences in social support among participants that included ELs with (n = 440) and without disabilities (n = 100) and non-ELs with (n = 4890) and without disabilities (n = 1090). A multivariate analysis of covariance was conducted to evaluate potential between-group variations in social support among these student groups after controlling for variations in background demographic characteristics. Results showed between group differences in parental support and peer connectedness but not in teacher or school support. Parents of students with disabilities reported the highest levels of support, whereas parents of ELs without disabilities reported the lowest levels of support. Students with disabilities reported the lowest levels of peer connectedness among the four groups. Overall, levels of teacher and school supports were high across all four groups of students. These patterns contribute to our understanding of the social support network of ELs with disabilities in comparison to other students. Further investigation is needed to examine the mechanisms that contribute to these differences.

NCLB Alternate Assessment Policies and Postschool Employment Outcomes for Individuals With Significant Cognitive Disabilities.

The participation of students with significant cognitive disabilities in accountability assessments aligned with general education standards is a heavily debated topic in the field of special education. Attempts to understand the impact of these assessments have generally been limited to correlational methods. We employed a difference-in-differences approach using select waves of the National Longitudinal Transition Study-2 dataset to estimate the impact of alternate assessment policies from the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 on the employment outcomes of individuals with significant cognitive disabilities. Our hypothesis was that these policies would produce a detrimental effect. Analyses suggested that alternate assessment policies resulted in descriptively positive employment outcomes, yet estimates were highly imprecise, which yields a complicated picture requiring more research.

Preparation for postsecondary education of transition aged youth with intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder in the United States: An Analysis of data from the national longitudinal transition study 2012.

Youth with intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder increasingly access postsecondary education in many countries around the world. To ensure students are ready to access these options, preparation for postsecondary education must be part of their transition services. This study examines the postsecondary education preparation experiences of youth with intellectual disability and autism using the NLTS 2012 dataset to identify the extent to which these youth are accessing preparation activities and if this preparation differs from youth in other groups. Findings indicate few differences between the postsecondary education preparation of youth with intellectual disability and autism and autism without intellectual disability but highlight substantial differences in several preparation activities when compared with youth in other groups.

An Intersectional Examination of Economic Hardship and Individualized Education Program Meeting Participation

In this preregistered study, we confirmed a transition-planning construct and determined its relationship with an established economic-hardship construct using parent- and youth-reported data from the National Longitudinal Transition Study 2012 and following established quality indicators of preregistered secondary data analyses studies. Transition planning was made up of seven items relevant to individualized education program (IEP) meeting participation. We examined measurement invariance on the basis of disability category and race/ethnicity as well as the intersection of these student characteristics in order to make unbiased group comparisons on key latent parameters. Contrary to our hypotheses, there was no meaningful correlation between transition planning and economic hardship. Moreover, we were unable to establish measurement invariance of transition planning because the item “youth's role in IEP meeting” functioned differently on the basis of disability category. Implications for practice are discussed regarding how decisions about IEP meeting participation are made, by whom and why, and whether evidence-based practices are effectively disseminated. Future research should ensure adequate sampling plans for national survey attempts in order to conduct an in-depth examination based on intersectional student characteristics.

Expectations of Transition-Age Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder Toward Postsecondary Education

The purpose of this study was to examine factors associated with expectations regarding postsecondary education of students with autism spectrum disorder between the ages of 16 and 21 years. We conducted logistic regressions using variables at the student, family, and school levels using the National Longitudinal Transition Study 2012. Logistic regression results showed that parental expectations for attending college was the only significant predictor of students’ own educational expectations. Students’ adaptive functioning, autonomy levels, demographic and family variables, parent involvement, and prior roles in Individualized Education Program/transition planning were not significant predictors. Future research needs to examine how schools can develop effective ways to increase both students’ and parents’ expectations toward postsecondary education.

Cochlear Implantation and Educational and Quality-of-Life Outcomes in Adolescence

Cochlear implants (CIs) have been shown to be effective in improving auditory skills and speech and language development. However, less is known about the long-term outcomes of CIs on educational functioning or quality of life. To evaluate long-term educational outcomes and quality of life in adolescents over 13 years postimplantation. This longitudinal cohort study included 188 children with bilateral severe to profound hearing loss with CIs from the Childhood Development After Cochlear Implantation (CDaCI) study from hospital-based CI programs; a cohort of 340 children with severe to profound hearing loss without CIs from a nationally representative survey (National Longitudinal Transition Study-2; NLTS-2), and results from the literature of comparable children without CIs. Cochlear implantation (early and late). Adolescent performance on measures of academic achievement (Woodcock Johnson), language (Comprehensive Assessment of Spoken Language), and quality of life (Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory, Youth Quality of Life Instrument-Deaf and Hard of Hearing ). The CDaCI cohort included 188 children, 136 of whom completed the wave 3 postimplantation follow-up visits (77 [55%] female) with CIs; mean [SD] age was 11.47 [1.27] years. The NLTS-2 cohort included 340 children (50% female) with severe to profound hearing loss without CIs. Children with CIs had better academic performance compared with children without CIs with similar levels of hearing loss. The largest benefits were seen for children who received implants early (prior to age 18 months), who performed at or above age and gender norms for language and academic achievement. Similarly, adolescents with CIs reported better quality of life on the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory compared with children without CIs. On a condition-specific measure (Youth Quality of Life Instrument-Deaf and Hard of Hearing), children who received implants early scored higher across all 3 domains than comparisons without CIs. To our knowledge, this is the first study to evaluate long-term educational outcomes and quality of life in adolescents using CIs. This longitudinal cohort study showed better outcomes of CIs in terms of language, academic performance, and quality of life. While the greatest benefits were observed for children who received implants before age 18 months, benefits were also noted for children who received implants later, providing evidence that children with severe to profound hearing loss with CIs can achieve at or above expected levels compared with hearing peers.

Factors Related to Accessing Postsecondary School Supports by English Learners With Disabilities

This study examined the relationship between demographic, disability-related, and transition planning experiences and accessing disability-specific and universally available supports at 2- and 4-year colleges by postsecondary students identified in secondary school as English learners with disabilities. Findings were based on secondary analysis of a nationally representative sample of approximately 160 English learners with disabilities included in the National Longitudinal Transition Study-2 (NLTS2). Logistic regression results identified two potentially malleable factors linked to increased likelihood of English learners with disabilities accessing postsecondary supports. If these students had a high school transition plan that indicated postsecondary supports as a needed post-high school service, when they attended college they were more likely to access both postsecondary disability-specific supports ( p < .01), and supports universally available to the full postsecondary student body ( p < .001). Aspects of self-determination also were related to an increased likelihood of seeking postsecondary supports. Higher levels of personal autonomy were positively related to accessing disability-specific ( p < .001) and universally available help ( p < .05), and higher levels of psychological empowerment were related to receipt of universally available supports ( p < .01). These findings demonstrate that high school professionals can support the postschool success of English learners with disabilities by influencing their likelihood of accessing beneficial supports in postsecondary school.

Revisiting Economic Hardship in a National Sample of Adolescents With and Without Disabilities: A Conceptual Replication

The purpose of the current study was to conceptually replicate a multi-indicator construct of economic hardship in a national sample of adolescents with and without disabilities ( N = 9,230). Using data from the National Longitudinal Transition Study 2012 (NLTS2012), the latent construct economic hardship was confirmed from six theoretically relevant indicators: household income, parent education level, parent employment status, one- or two-parent household, household internet access, and participation in government-assisted social programs (e.g., Supplemental Security Income benefits, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families). In addition, we examined group differences on the latent mean of economic hardship based on disability category, race and ethnicity, and school and family factors. Mean differences showed significantly lower economic hardship for youth on 504 plans, youth with autism, and for White non-Hispanic youth; whereas there was significantly greater hardship for youth with intellectual disability and youth with emotional disturbance and among youth of color. The implications of the replicated and expanded findings for adolescents with and without disabilities are discussed.

Parent’s Post-School Goal Expectations for English Learners with Disabilities

ABSTRACT What we know about transition-age ELs with disabilities comes from a limited number of studies and reports. These students face multiple obstacles to achieving the benchmarks of post-school success, including coming from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds and having lower academic achievement than other students with disabilities. This study analyzed National Longitudinal Transition Study 2012 data to explore parents’ expectations for their child’s future goal aspirations, including postsecondary education, independent living, and financial independence for English learners (ELs) with disabilities and compared results with non-ELs with disabilities. Results showed parent expectations varied by disability category and post-school goals. Also, parents of ELs with disabilities, compared to non-ELs with disabilities, had higher expectations for their child to be financially independent by age 30. The analysis also identified several individual and family predictors of these post-school goals for both parent groups. Implications for research and practice are discussed.

Quality Indicators of Secondary Data Analyses in Special Education Research: A Preregistration Guide

Secondary data analyses occur when new analyses are proposed for existing data. Although they are prevalent in special education research, there is little guidance on how to prepare secondary data analyses studies. Preregistration of secondary data analyses studies provides a nice opportunity and structure for fellow researchers to share innovative questions and analytic approaches to existing data sets as well as increase transparency. In this manuscript, we (a) describe quality indicators of secondary data analyses consistent with open science practices and (b) provide applied examples of these indicators from a sampling of published studies based on two iterations of data from the National Longitudinal Transition Study (NLTS2 and NLTS2012) with the overall goals to provide guidance to authors and peer reviewers and promote collaboration among fellow researchers engaged in secondary analyses for a range of purposes.

The Relationships Among Parent Involvement, Student Self-Determination, and Postsecondary Education Enrollment for Students With Learning Disabilities

In light of the lower rates of postsecondary education enrollment by students with learning disabilities (LD), researchers have sought to identify predictors of enrollment so that improvement efforts can target specific predictors. Taking advantage of the rich data provided in the National Longitudinal Transition Study-2, we conducted a secondary data analysis to investigate how parent involvement and student self-determination predict postsecondary education enrollment for students with LD. Findings from structural equation modeling analyses showed that parent involvement and student self-determination predict postsecondary education enrollment, and the influence of parent involvement is mediated by student self-determination. These results suggest that parents play an essential role in the secondary transition process, and schools need to make concerted efforts to work with parents to foster student self-determination, which ultimately promotes students’ participation in postsecondary education.

Contextualizing School Engagement During Transition for Students Receiving Special Education and English Learner Services

School engagement is an important factor in academic success and social belonging for postsecondary education. Dually identified students receiving special education and English learner services may face obstacles to engagement. We conducted secondary analyses of the National Longitudinal Transition Study from 2012 to provide a description of high school engagement. We then examined engagement through interviews with 26 dually identified students from a large district in the northeastern United States. A contribution of this mixed-methods study is that while national data revealed somewhat limited engagement in extracurricular activities and inconsistent attendance, student interviews reflected self-perceptions of positive engagement. Implications for research and practice include further examining inner-group variation and increasing school–community partnerships for expanded engagement.

College and Career Readiness Support for Youth With and Without Disabilities Based on the National Longitudinal Transition Study 2012

In this study, we examined college and career readiness (CCR) support for students with and without disabilities using data from the National Longitudinal Transition Study 2012. We selected variables relevant to CCR and focused on the interaction of disability, race and ethnicity, and household income across a range of disability categories, including those on individualized education programs and 504 plans, as well as for those without disabilities. Overall, we analyzed 19 groups of students representing these intersectional characteristics. Our findings show significant differences among the groups with regard to receiving the CCR supports: help with college applications, course-taking advice, interpretation of college admissions exam scores, and arranging college visits. Results show students of color without disabilities from low-income households were 2 times more likely to receive certain CCR supports. In contrast, across all study outcomes, students with disabilities showed different patterns than their counterparts without disabilities and were at a clear disadvantage with regard to access to CCR supports. Findings suggest disparities in schoolwide CCR supports for those with disabilities, which are more pronounced for students of color with disabilities. Implications for secondary transition educators and school counselors are discussed.

Effect of Self-Determination on Postsecondary Enrollment of English Learners With Disabilities

We examined the effect of three components of self-determination—autonomy, empowerment, and self-realization—on the postsecondary enrollment of English learners with disabilities, using quasi-experimental propensity score modeling and data from the U.S. National Longitudinal Transition Study-2. Results support the hypothesis that self-determination components affect postsecondary school enrollment. English learners with disabilities with higher autonomy scores were more likely to enroll in 2-year colleges, and those with higher empowerment scores were more likely to enroll in 4-year colleges. However, prior research found that English learners with disabilities are less likely to act autonomously or report empowerment-related behaviors than other students with disabilities or students in the general population. Considering the increasing importance of postsecondary education, the current study’s findings demonstrate the importance of promoting both the self-determined behaviors of this dually identified population of students and the learning environment supports that facilitate the practice of self-determination.

Youth and Parent Participation in Transition Planning in the U.S.A.: Findings from the National Longitudinal Transition Study 2012 (NLTS 2012)

Abstract The purpose of this study was to use data from the United States' National Longitudinal Transition Study 2012 (NLTS 2012) to present descriptive information on youth and parent participation and youth's role in required Individualized Education Program (IEP)/transition planning meetings by disability category and age groupings (14-22 year olds, 14-15 year olds, and 16-22 year olds). The study found that youth and parent attendance in IEP/transition planning meetings was high across disability categories, but the extent to which youth and parents met with teachers to discuss transition goals was much lower. Data from NLTS 2012 and a previous U.S. study, the National Longitudinal Transition Study 2 (NLTS2), were compared for youth's participation with school staff in discussing transition goals. A significant decline in participation was found over the past decade. Logistic regression analyses illustrated differences in youth and parent participation and youth's role by disability category.

Parent Expectations, Deaf Youth Expectations, and Transition Goals as Predictors of Postsecondary Education Enrollment

This study used the National Longitudinal Transition Study–2 (NLTS2) data set to determine the effects of expectations and transition planning goals on the postsecondary education enrollment of deaf youth. Propensity scoring modeling results indicated that high expectations held by deaf youth and their parents significantly predicted postsecondary education attendance at 2- and 4-year colleges, and career and technical education (CTE) schools. College enrollment as a transition planning goal for deaf youth also significantly predicted enrollment in all three types of postsecondary education institutions. Postsecondary CTE school attendance as a transition plan goal for deaf youth did not make a difference in enrollment outcomes for CTE and 2-year college, and it significantly reduced their odds of attending 4-year college. Implications regarding expectations and transition plan goals are discussed.

Self-management of daily life tasks in diploma-track youth with disabilities

Purpose Youth with disabilities who graduate with a regular high school diploma often continue to have difficulties in their daily functioning that ultimately impact adulthood outcomes. To better understand these functional difficulties and determine how best to address them, it is important to distinguish deficits in discrete skills from difficulty organizing skills to self-manage complex tasks associated with adult roles. The purpose of this study was to explore the extent to which challenges in social, executive function and behavior management factors relate to these two aspects of daily functioning. Methods This is a secondary analysis of the National Longitudinal Transition Study 2 funded by the United States Department of Education. The direct and indirect associations between youth underlying factors and self-management of daily life tasks (SMDLT) versus discrete functional skills were modelled using structural equation modelling. Results A model incorporating social skills, communication, and behavior regulation explained 55% of the variance in SMDLT. In contrast, the model predicting discrete functional skills had fewer significant associations and described less variance (37%) in the outcome. Conclusions Findings suggest that using measures of SMDLT and designing targeted interventions for SMDLT might help improve participation in independent living and productivity for diploma-track youth with disabilities. Implications for rehabilitation Successful transition from high school to adult roles requires the ability to self-manage the daily life tasks required for those roles, such as employment, post-secondary education, and independent living. The ability to self-manage daily tasks is distinct from mastery of discrete functional skills and should be assessed with measures that uniquely examine this domain. Social and communication skills, executive functioning, and behavioral regulation, are important contributors to the ability to self-manage life tasks for diploma-track youth with disabilities and should be incorporated into multifaceted interventions. Interventions to improve self-management of tasks should include teaching strategies and practice coordinating underlying skills in flexible ways that meet the varying demands of tasks and diverse environments.