Paid internships and employment success for youth in transition | Knowledge Translation for Employment Research Center

Authors:	Luftig, R. L., & Muthert, D.
Year Published	2000
Publication	Career Development for Exceptional Individuals
Volume	23
Number	2
Pages	205-221
Publisher	Sage
Background	Most recent extensive national longitudinal studies of school leavers with disabilities show employment rates lagging significantly behind their non-disabled peers. There is a considerable body of research literature that supports the value of work experience as a critical educational intervention for improving post-school employment. To maximize effective educational interventions, including the use of work-based learning and paid employment experiences, it is necessary to examine specific individual characteristics, strategies, and circumstances that promote or deter successful employment outcomes.
Purpose	The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of a standardized, multi-site, community-based employment internship program developed by the Marriott Foundation for People with disabilities, called Bridges...From School to Work. The study also examines the relationship of various participant and programmatic variables to transition outcomes for participating youth.
Setting	The settings for the study consisted of multiple workplaces engaged in the Bridges program with the Marriott Foundation. During the study, Bridges operated in Montgomery County, MD; Fairfax County, VA; Washington, DC; Los Angeles, CA; San Francisco, CA; Atlanta, GA; and Chicago, IL.
Sample	The sample for this study includes 3,024 special education high school students who participated in one of the 10 Bridges projects. There was relatively equal distribution for males and females. Participants were largely minority group members (81%). Students had an array of disabilities but were predominantly learning disabled (57.1%), intellectually disabled (17.8%), and emotionally disabled (14.8%). Disability severity ratings were 41.0% mild, 38% moderate, and 21.0% severe.
Data Collection	Referral data for Bridges includes demographic, disability, and previous educational/employment histories. Additional data come from a placement data form, an internship log, an internship completion form, and a follow-up questionnaire. Follow-up data collection occurs at 6, 12, and 18 months after internship completion. The data instruments were standardized across all 10 sites. Data analysis consisted of descriptive results for internship performance, and the exploration of the relationship between predictor and outcome variables at each of the three periods using logistic regression procedures.
Control	There was no comparison condition.
Findings	Employment status at six months post-internship was not different across gender, race, or primary disability. Work behaviors during the internship were highly predictive of post-school employment at 6 and 12 month follow-up intervals. 68% of those contacted were employed at six months. Enrollment in postsecondary education was the most frequently cited reason for not working (43%), followed by not being able to find work (21%). A small percentage (13%) cited not wanting to work as the reason for unemployment.
Conclusions	Findings of this study demonstrate the efficacy of structured work experiences for youth with disabilities in secondary school. Students in the paid internship showed better short-term outcomes regardless of demographic factors and educational placement factors. However, at long-term follow-up the employment rate had declined, indicating a need for sustained employment support services.
URL	http://cde.sagepub.com/content/23/2/205.full.pdf+html
Disabilities	Intellectual disabilities \| Specific learning disabilities
Populations	Male & Female \| Hispanic or Latino \| Black / African American \| White / Caucasian \| Transition-age youth (14 - 24) \| Urban
Outcomes	Employment acquisition
NIDILRR Funded	No
Research Design	Observational
Peer Reviewed	Yes

Year Published

2000

Publication

Career Development for Exceptional Individuals

Volume

23

Number

2

Pages

205-221

Publisher

Sage

Background

Most recent extensive national longitudinal studies of school leavers with disabilities show employment rates lagging significantly behind their non-disabled peers. There is a considerable body of research literature that supports the value of work experience as a critical educational intervention for improving post-school employment. To maximize effective educational interventions, including the use of work-based learning and paid employment experiences, it is necessary to examine specific individual characteristics, strategies, and circumstances that promote or deter successful employment outcomes.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of a standardized, multi-site, community-based employment internship program developed by the Marriott Foundation for People with disabilities, called Bridges...From School to Work. The study also examines the relationship of various participant and programmatic variables to transition outcomes for participating youth.

Setting

The settings for the study consisted of multiple workplaces engaged in the Bridges program with the Marriott Foundation. During the study, Bridges operated in Montgomery County, MD; Fairfax County, VA; Washington, DC; Los Angeles, CA; San Francisco, CA; Atlanta, GA; and Chicago, IL.

Sample

The sample for this study includes 3,024 special education high school students who participated in one of the 10 Bridges projects. There was relatively equal distribution for males and females. Participants were largely minority group members (81%). Students had an array of disabilities but were predominantly learning disabled (57.1%), intellectually disabled (17.8%), and emotionally disabled (14.8%). Disability severity ratings were 41.0% mild, 38% moderate, and 21.0% severe.

Data Collection

Referral data for Bridges includes demographic, disability, and previous educational/employment histories. Additional data come from a placement data form, an internship log, an internship completion form, and a follow-up questionnaire. Follow-up data collection occurs at 6, 12, and 18 months after internship completion. The data instruments were standardized across all 10 sites. Data analysis consisted of descriptive results for internship performance, and the exploration of the relationship between predictor and outcome variables at each of the three periods using logistic regression procedures.

Control

There was no comparison condition.

Findings

Employment status at six months post-internship was not different across gender, race, or primary disability. Work behaviors during the internship were highly predictive of post-school employment at 6 and 12 month follow-up intervals. 68% of those contacted were employed at six months. Enrollment in postsecondary education was the most frequently cited reason for not working (43%), followed by not being able to find work (21%). A small percentage (13%) cited not wanting to work as the reason for unemployment.

Conclusions

Findings of this study demonstrate the efficacy of structured work experiences for youth with disabilities in secondary school. Students in the paid internship showed better short-term outcomes regardless of demographic factors and educational placement factors. However, at long-term follow-up the employment rate had declined, indicating a need for sustained employment support services.

URL

http://cde.sagepub.com/content/23/2/205.full.pdf+html

Disabilities

Intellectual disabilities | Specific learning disabilities

Populations

Outcomes

Employment acquisition

NIDILRR Funded

No

Research Design

Observational

Peer Reviewed

Yes