Postsecondary Transition Research Articles

Reverse Career Fairs in Rural Areas for Postsecondary Transitions for Students With Disabilities

For students with disabilities in rural locations, there can be unique barriers related to postsecondary transition. Reverse Career Fairs (RCFs), wherein employers take the role of attendees and students with disabilities focus on showcasing their skills and talents, are one way to provide students with experiences that support evidence-based predictors of post-school outcomes. An option for navigating these barriers is described through a framework used to foster postsecondary transitions for students with disabilities in rural settings through the implementation of RCFs. RCFs provide inclusive postsecondary opportunities by restructuring traditional approaches to career exploration and promoting meaningful connections between students with disabilities and prospective employers. A framework identifying key role groups and phases in facilitating an RCF and pilot results of one Special Education Regional Technical Assistance Center are provided.

Can Career Academies Work as a School Turnaround Strategy?

Under the Every Student Succeeds Act, college and career readiness became the central focus of education policy in the United States. Career academies (CAs) are a popular way to support students in their postsecondary transitions, but little causal evidence exists about whether this model of schooling is effective in promoting learning and transition outcomes. We capitalize on the adoption of the CA model in a large school district that was under the threat of school turnaround and employ a generalized difference-in-differences approach to test whether adopting this model improved student outcomes. We find suggestive evidence that CA adoption improved graduation rates and that these effects were most likely concentrated among schools that had the lowest graduation rates at baseline.

The role of career and technology dual enrollment programs in facilitating student postsecondary transition

The role of career and technology dual enrollment programs in facilitating student postsecondary transition

The socioeconomic gap in the development of Korean adolescents’ occupational aspirations while approaching the post-secondary transition

AbstractThis study longitudinally investigates the socioeconomic differentials in South Korean adolescents’ occupational aspiration development while they approach the post-secondary transition. It also takes into account the two-fold relation between socioeconomic status and academic performance in shaping occupational aspirations: mediation and interaction. Using the Korean Education and Employment Panel (KEEP), the study documents two main results. First, there exists a significant socioeconomic gap in Korean adolescents’ occupational aspirations which is neither widened nor narrowed over the transition period. Second, the relationship between socioeconomic status and academic performance is not limited to mediation but demonstrates a significant interaction in developing occupational aspirations.

Transitioning to adulthood for young disabled people: imagining new futurities while walking-with

From a disability studies perspective, we want to understand how to support young disabled adults to belong in their local community once the postsecondary transition has arrived. The force of imagination in the search for possibilities other than the often-fixed normalised pathways is investigated by looking at some important life events of Wout, a young man with Down Syndrome. The researchers experiment with the method of intuition of Bergson ([1946] 1992) by becoming part of the events shared through ‘walking-with’ Wout. Hereto a tracing-mapping (Lenz Taguchi 2016) exercise is followed to explore the open possibilities in Wout’s future, particularly in connection to employment. A speculative approach offers a conceptual and practical way to build concrete utopias (Bloch 1986) for the inclusive future Wout and his network are shaping.

Evaluating Saudi Parental Interagency on Collaborative Initiatives for Successful Post-Secondary Transition of Students with Intellectual Disabilities.

Effective collaboration between schools and community agencies is paramount for the successful transition of students with disabilities to post-secondary educational settings. This study, conducted in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, focuses on assessing the level of collaboration from the perspective of parents of students with intellectual disabilities. Using descriptive analysis, data was gathered from 191 parents, and the results indicate a perceived low level of collaboration between schools and various agencies in planning and supporting the transition to post-secondary environments. The study results evaluate collaboration in three dimensions: (a) universities rank lowest with =1.61 and SD=1.102). (b) vocational training centers ranking highest (1st rank) with an = 1.97 and SD = 1.079), and (c) other relevant service centers 2nd rank with =1.69 and SD= 1.177. The findings emphasize the necessity for legislative measures directing agencies to engage in collaborative agreements with secondary schools. This proactive approach aims to enhance opportunities for students with intellectual disabilities during their transition to post-secondary education and training. The study concludes with implications for future research and recommendations for fostering improved collaboration and support mechanisms.

Creating Dynamic Community Resource Maps for Transition Planning

Community resource mapping (CRM) is a process for identifying community resources vital to the successful post-secondary transition to adulthood for youth with extensive support needs (ESN). By adopting the four-step process delineated in the National Center on Secondary Education and Transition’s Essential Tool: Community Resource Mapping, we present an adaptable digital CRM process that aligns with transition services as an outcome-based process. This is shown through enhancing internal and external collaboration efforts with various agencies, school staff, and families in identifying community resources in a streamlined and accessible process for youth with ESN.

How does a poor labour market affect inequalities in access to postsecondary education? Empirical evidence from 31 affluent countries

Abstract This study examines how macroeconomic conditions affect inequality of educational opportunity. Using longitudinal data from 30 European countries and the USA, we study the effect of changing unemployment rates on the extent of social inequality in postsecondary transitions in the period (2004–2016), which includes the Great Recession. The findings from multilevel models with country fixed effects show that rising unemployment rates tend to increase social inequalities in postsecondary transitions, as youth from low-educated families have increased risk for exclusion from both employment and education, while the likelihood of postsecondary enrolment slightly rises for youth from higher-educated families. Yet, economic downturns also incentivize youth whose parents have middle level of education to opt for postsecondary education, especially in contexts where it is more affordable. Our findings suggest that changing opportunity costs and economic insecurity are the relevant factors to explain changing inequalities in access to postsecondary education during a recession.

On your mark, get set, go: The athletic recruitment and postsecondary experiences of Black male college athletes formerly in foster care

This counter-narrative qualitative study examined the athletic recruitment and postsecondary experiences (i.e., college transition and navigation) of three Black male college track and field athletes formerly in foster care. This article uses Schlossberg’s transition theory to deliver a dashing story of endurance. Three significant themes arose from participants’ experiences:1) their athletic recruitment process was complex and isolating; 2) their postsecondary transition and navigation was challenging; and 3) their participation in athletics helped them focus their attention away from their adverse experiences, gain access to postsecondary education, and find a chosen family. The study offers implications for future research and immediate practice that could enhance the scholarship on and experiences of college-going Black students with foster care backgrounds coming out of the starter blocks and accelerating toward postsecondary degrees.

Mapping the Landscape of Postsecondary Transition Experimental Research: A 10-Year Review of CDTEI

This systematic literature review provides a comprehensive evaluation of the experimental intervention research being published from 2010 to 2020 within Career Development and Transition for Exceptional Individuals (CDTEI). We critically evaluated studies found through a hand-search of CDTEI and identified patterns and trends across ten years based on study characteristics, focus of the experimental literature, and adherence to reporting standards set by the National Technical Assistance Center (NTACT) through their quality indicators. A total of 208 articles were reviewed following The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines as a framework. Approximately 17% (n=36) of documents used an experimental design that fit inclusion criteria. Of these, 47% were group design and 53% used a single case design. Results suggest a need to shift away from efficacy research to effectiveness-based research with a focus on real-life academic settings and natural change agents. Findings suggest a critical need for the educational research community to enhance the trustworthiness of scientific findings with convincing data analysis methods that are reliable and valid for the conclusions drawn.

Where Does Hope Lie? The Dialectical Tensions Between Hopes and Expectations of Vocational Transition Planning from the Perspectives of Autistic Young Adults, Parents, and Practitioners.

The post-secondary transition for autistic youth is a complex process, with hopes and expectations serving as malleable mediators often overlooked in research and practice. Career awareness, exploration, and counseling services play a critical role in facilitating vocational transition, but the vocational hopes and expectations of autistic youth and their parents are often disregarded. This study aims to explore these aspirations and their impact on the vocational transition process, seeking to harmonize elements to better align with the needs of autistic youth and their families. This study used a focus group design involving group interviews with three participant groups: autistic transition-aged youth, parents, and practitioners. The findings reveal five key themes: 1) Accepting Disability or Constrained by Ableism: Resisting Marginalization, 2) Finding the Sweet Spot: Are Parents and Youth's Expectations Too High or Too Low, 3) Market Forces at Work-Finding a Meaningful Vocational Path in a Capitalist Society, 4) Despite Meticulous Planning, there is a Disconnect Between Needs and Resources, and 5) The Hills and Valleys of Finding Resilience. Navigating the multifaceted landscape of vocational transition planning for autistic youth necessitates a collaborative and flexible approach. Identified tensions serve as opportunities for growth and transformation. Recognizing and addressing system shortcomings is crucial for informed decision-making. Challenges extend beyond individual circumstances, reflecting broader systemic issues, and identifying these gaps allows for a comprehensive understanding of available resources, cultivating a basis of hope as uncertainties are addressed.

‘I want to scream it from the rooftops now […] there are other pathways’: What young people learned from a co-designed post-secondary transition programme

AbstractThis paper uses the framework of transition as becoming to explore what young people learned from participating in a post-secondary transition program that was co-designed by young people. The 9-week youth participatory action research (YPAR) involved six staff collaborators (SCs) and seven youth collaborators (YCs). Data comprised recordings of weekly group meetings, group interviews, reflections and artefacts such as planning documents, graphic organisers and writing. We discuss the findings using two themes that we identified together as a team of YCs and SCs. The first represents how YCs became aware of and vocalised understandings of life after secondary school as a diverse and fluid process. The second describes and interrogates how YCs became more confident and empowered, showing the importance of critical consciousness, reflection and action in seeking transformation. We conclude that conceptualising transition as becoming enables us to collectively make sense of the diverse ways we co-construct life experiences and directions.

Integrating Community Cultural Wealth Into Postsecondary Transition for Students With Disabilities Receiving English Learner Services

Understanding how capital influences postsecondary transition for students receiving special education and English learner (EL) services can inform culturally sustaining planning practices and improve postsecondary outcomes. Recognizing how students and families utilize community cultural wealth capital in the transition process can support efforts to thwart deficit-based practices and replace them with asset-based approaches that expand upon students’ strengths. At the same time, examining the ways the dominant group maintains power through actions that perpetuate the status quo is important. In this article, we apply Bourdieu’s capital theory alongside Yosso’s community cultural wealth framework to better understand how capital informed the postsecondary transition experiences of 13 students receiving special education and EL services and their parents. Implications and recommendations for understanding and utilizing cultural capital and community cultural wealth in transition are explored.

Culturally Responsive/Sustaining Transition for At-Promise Youth

At-promise students with disabilities benefit when educators implement culturally responsive/sustaining postsecondary transition practices. Yet, many educators lack the training and resources necessary to support culturally, ethnically, economically, and linguistically diverse youth and their families. To address this gap, the Culturally Responsive/Sustaining Transition Portfolio (CRSTP) assists educators, students, and families in preparing for postsecondary transition while respecting the values of families. This study assesses the usefulness of the CRSTP by training 45 preservice teachers on culturally responsive/sustaining transition practices using the CRSTP, and then having them reflect on the product and process using the 11-item online reflective survey. Educators reported the CRSTP was a promising tool for applying culturally responsive/sustaining transition practices, building relationships, and collaborating with students and families. Findings indicate the CRSTP guided students in developing self-awareness, self-advocacy, and goal planning. The evaluation of this promising and practical educational tool holds the potential to impact at-promise youth, families, and educators.

Similarities in Reentry Planning of Students Involved in the Juvenile Justice System and Postsecondary Transition Planning for Students with Disabilities

The field of special education has developed evidence-based practices (EBPs) to promote positive postsecondary outcomes for youth with disabilities. Postsecondary transition planning is comparable to the planning processes needed for reentry of previously incarcerated youth to educational and community settings. Common practices for transitioning students with disabilities and for those returning to the community setting include career/technical/vocational education, interagency collaboration, career assessment and exploration, student-centered planning, high expectations, real-life problem solving, and assessment-driven goals. Transition planning has the potential to reduce recidivism, the key measurement of successful programs and interventions in the carceral setting. There is little empirical evidence of best practices in correctional education; however, there are some programs and resources within special education transition literature that may be useful in the development of prerelease planning for adjudicated youth. Programs focused on improving self-determination skills such as being aware of abilities, needs and preferences, problem-solving, self-control, cognitive reasoning to address problems, self-efficacy, and self-advocacy can increase the level of preparation youth have for returning to the community. Other efforts geared at systemic change can be beneficial, as well, including improvement of interagency collaboration, enrollment/re-enrollment requirements, training for educators and administrators to prevent stigma, and hiring one person in charge of the prerelease planning and records. Resources and suggested applications are included in summary.

The Socioeconomic Gap in the Development of Korean Adolescents' Occupational Aspirations While Approaching the Post-Secondary Transition

The Socioeconomic Gap in the Development of Korean Adolescents' Occupational Aspirations While Approaching the Post-Secondary Transition

Youth Rights in Postsecondary Transition: Gibson v. Forest Hills (2016)

A transition-aged youth with an individualized education program has the right to free, appropriate public education that includes postsecondary transition planning and services. The documented transition supports need to meet both procedural and substantive requirements. While many court cases have included transition components, few have been decided at the appellate court level. In Gibson v. Forest Hills (2016), Chloe Gibson, a transition-aged youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities, was provided inadequate postsecondary transition planning and services. According to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, Chole’s right to a free, appropriate public education was violated due to procedural errors related to inviting her to individualized education program (IEP) meetings, conducting age-appropriate transition assessments, and including programming leading to supported competitive employment in a community setting. This decision supports the federal requirements of including a transition-aged student’s strengths, interests, preferences, and needs when planning their life after high school.

The role of attention problems in predicting applying to college among high school girls with disabilities

Students with disabilities have higher rates of attention problems than those without disabilities. This can impede their academic success and postsecondary transition, but these effects have not been well-studied. Understanding these effects is especially critical among high school girls with disabilities who additionally experience significant other barriers to college enrolment. Using longitudinal data from 366 high school girls with disabilities, we examined whether attention problems predicted a lower likelihood of applying to college, and whether this effect was mediated by academic difficulties. We also tested whether attention problems moderated the effect of students’ future aspirations on the likelihood of applying to college. Consistent with our predictions, attention problems were associated with a lower likelihood of applying to college. The individual paths through academic difficulties were significant, but the bootstrap estimation of the indirect effect was not significant. Attention problems did not moderate the effect of future aspirations. Attention training interventions have the potential to improve postsecondary educational outcomes.

‘It wasn’t adults and young people […] we’re all in it together’: co-designing a post-secondary transition program through youth participatory action research

ABSTRACT This paper aims to contribute fresh insights into youth participatory action research (YPAR) by using bell hooks’ engaged pedagogy to illuminate the process of co-designing a program for transition beyond secondary school. Engaged pedagogy is a critical pedagogy that combines critical consciousness and radical wholeness and seeks to foster a learning community. The 10-week YPAR included six staff collaborators (SCs) and five youth collaborators (YCs). Data comprised recordings of weekly collaborative group meetings; group interviews with SCs and YCs; and reflections and artefacts such as planning documents, graphic organisers and photographs. Informed by engaged pedagogy, findings are represented in two themes. First, YCs and SCs raised critical consciousness by collectively unpacking and critiquing the concept of transition. Critical consciousness allowed YCs to share their lived experiences and critique the dominant deficit discourse that represents transition as a linear process that needs to be smoothed by expert adults. Second, YCs and SCs demonstrated what hooks describes as radical wholeness, by bringing their whole selves to the YPAR. While some SCs and YCs struggled with the messiness of co-design as they negotiated expectations and roles, they learned to be honest and share their emotions, becoming what hooks describes as a learning community. Using an engaged pedagogy lens, we conclude by advocating for a holistic approach for YPAR in which educators take the risk of being vulnerable, sharing uncertainty and discomfort while encouraging youth to also take risks by bringing their whole selves to the process.

Let's go shopping: Virtual reality as a tier‐3 intervention for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities

AbstractBest practices for technology use in academic settings, specifically those preparing students for postsecondary transition (ages 18–21) are not well documented and research studies commenting on the use of technology for acquisition of social and adaptive skills is limited. Literature indicates that students with mild–moderate intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) benefit from adaptive‐skills programs and curricula. School psychologists, special educators, and school‐based interventionists are in a unique position to provide adaptive skill services and tier‐3 interventions that are evidence‐based, innovative, and serve the most vulnerable students. This manuscript utilizes a sign‐case design to test the use of virtual reality (VR) as an individualized intervention and teaching modality to a student in a center‐based high school program with IDD. Results yield promising findings, indicating those with IDD may master VR as a tool, learn new skills with VR programming, and generalize those skills to real‐world settings. Further, VR offers unique benefits that can shape the way school interventionists view technology and how innovative practices can be used for students with IDD.