Postsecondary Vocational Adjustment of Rural,Mildly Handicapped Students

Abstract

Few studies have focused on the postsecondary adjustment of mildly handicapped students living in rural areas. This article examines a study of the background of 113 formerly labeled mildly handicapped students to determine what educational variables were predictive of their current occupational status. Data were collected on the demographic and academic backgrounds of the students as well as on current and previous employment status. These variables were reviewed and statistical measures were used to describe and evaluate the relationship between the former students' employment status and their education and training. Analysis of the results indicated that former students were employed an average of 50 percent of the time after termination of their secondary education and that former special education students received little specific vocational training. Correlational analyses reflected a positive relationship between years of school completed and employment status. Additionally, a significant relationship between certain academic variables (e.g., mathematics level and reading level) and employment status was indicated. Results are discussed relative to implications for improved training of students served in classes for the mildly handicapped.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Becker

R. L.

(1979). Job training placement for retarded youth: A survey. Mental Retardation, 14, 11–17.

Brolin

(1978). Life centered career education: A competency based approach. Reston, VA: The Council for Exceptional Children.

Brolin

Durand

Kromer

, & Muller

(1975). Postsecondary school adjustment of educably mentally retarded students. Education and Training of the Mentally Retarded, 13, 209–212.

Cosby

A. G.

(1979). Student attainment in relation to rural education. College Park, MD: The National Education Seminar. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED 172 981).

Halpern

A. S.

(1973). General unemployment and vocational opportunities for EMR individuals. American Journal of Mental Deficiency, 78, 123–127.

Helge

(1980). A national comparative study regarding rural special education delivery systems before and after passage of PL 94–142. Murray, KY: Murray State University.

Kokaska

C. J.

(1968). Secondary education for the retarded: A brief historical review. Education and Training of the Mentally Retarded, 3, 17–26.

Schwartz

S. E.

Hensel

J. W.

, & Westling

D. L.

(1980). Evaluation of the vocational preparation and success of handicapped individuals who reside in rural areas: A continuation report. Tallahassee: Florida Department of Education.

Sher

J. P.

(1978). A proposal to end federal neglect of rural schools. Phi Delta Kappan, 60, 280–282.

10.

Titus

, & Travis

(1973). Follow-up of EMR program graduates. Mental Retardation, 11, 24–26.

11.

Thompson

R. B.

, (Ed.). (1980). Florida statistical abstract 1980. Gainesville, FL: The University Presses of Florida.

12.

Vande

Garde L. C.

, (Ed.). (1973). Post high school adjustment of the educable mentally retarded. Des Moines: Iowa State Department of Public Instruction. (ERIC Document Reproduction Services No. ED 953 847).