Influence of least restrictive environment and community based training on integrated employment outcomes for transitioning students with severe disabilities.
Authors: | Wickizer, T. M., Campbell, K., Krupski, A., & Stark, K. |
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Year Published | 2004 |
Publication | Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation |
Volume | 21 |
Number | 3 |
Pages | 149-156 |
Publisher | IOS Press |
Background |
In light of the data supporting the education of individuals with severe disabilities in natural contexts, it stands to reason that programs would no longer provide training in contexts other than those that result insurable employment opportunities. However, this continue to occur. Even with mandated transition planning integrated employment outcomes are not improving for students with severe disabilities. Many of these students will then enter the public welfare system and/or segregated adult programs. |
Purpose |
The purpose of this study was to identify variables that are correlated with successful integrated employment outcomes for transitioning students with severe disabilities. |
Setting |
The setting included 20 different schools sites within 12 school districts in a county in California. |
Sample |
The sample included 104 students with severe disabilities, ages 18-22, who had exited school without diploma. Close to half (48%) of the participants had an IQ that placed them in the profound (25%) or severe (23%) category. The majority of the participants were white (53%), followed by Hispanic (28%), Asian (13%),African American (4%) and Pacific (2%). Around 53% of the students were males. Around 80% of the participants lived at home; the others lived in group homes. |
Data Collection |
The specific variables measured in this study included: the influence of duration of community-based training (CBT) that included on-the-job training, on the-job training as a subset of CBT, the least restrictive environment (LRE), or the degree of integration with non-disabled peers during the school day, demographics(gender, ethnicity, home setting, behavior problems, physical disability and mental ability) as measured by |
Control |
There was no comparison or control group |
Findings |
These data indicate significant interactions between community based training (r = 0.387, p < 0.001), degree of integration with typical peers (r = 0.360, p < 0.001), andon-the-job training (r = 0.305, p = 0.001) and employment outcome. There were also strong intercorrelations among the three variables of CBT, degree of integration or LRE and on-the-job training.Transitioning students who received CBT and on the job training had a 69% integrated employment rate after leaving school. |
Conclusions |
The combinations of least restrictive environments,CBT/on-the-job training, and innovative teacher advocacy are potent predictors of post school employment for students with severe disabilities, regardless of intellectual functioning. |
URL | http://www.kcdsg.org/files/content/Cheryl%20Jorgensen_Influence%20of%20LRE%20on%20Outcomes.pdf |
Disabilities | Intellectual disabilities |
Populations | Transition-age youth (14 - 24) | Hispanic or Latino | Asian | Black / African American | Native Hawaiian / other Pacific Islander | White / Caucasian | Male & Female |
Outcomes | Employment acquisition |
NIDILRR Funded | Not Reported |
Research Design | Single group, Qualitative |
Peer Reviewed | Yes |