This article discusses how education initiatives reflected in federal education reforms, statutes, and proposed agendas might be integrated and aligned using a quality of life (QOL) conceptual model. The article incorporates key aspects of the following into such an integrative framework: the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act; a framework for 21st-century learning; previous, current, and new reform agendas and policy initiatives; and the QOL construct. The authors discuss how education initiatives reflected in federal education reforms, statutes, and proposed agendas might be integrated and aligned using a QOL conceptual model.
BruettK. (2006). Why American business demands twenty-first century skills: An industry perspective. In SchwarzE.KayK. (Eds.), New directions for youth development: The case for twenty-first century learning (pp. 25–30). San Francisco, CA: Wiley.
CarterE. W.BrockM. E.Bottema-BeutelK.BartholomewA.BoehmT. L.Cease-CookJ. (2003). Methodological trends in secondary education and transition research: Looking backward and moving forward. Career Development and Transition for Exceptional Individuals, 36, 15–24. doi:10.1177/2165143413475659
10.
ColeC. (2006). Closing the achievement gap series: Part III. What is the impact of NCLB on the inclusion of students with disabilities? Retrieved from http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED495750.pdf
Deil-AmenR.DeLucaS. (2010). The underserved third: How our educational structures population an educational underclass. Journal of Education for Students Placed at Risk, 15, 27–50. doi:10.1080/10824661003634948
FairclothS. C. (2004). Understanding the impact of U.S. federal policies on the education of children and youth with disabilities. International Studies in Educational Administration, 32, 32–46.
17.
FelceD. (1997). Defining and applying the concept of quality of life. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 41, 126–135.
18.
FultonM.GianneschiM.BlancoC.DeMariaP. (2014, April). Developmental strategies for college readiness and success. Denver, CO: Education Commission of the States.
HughesC.HwangB. (1996). Attempts to conceptualize and measure quality of life. In SchalockR. L. (Ed.), Quality of life: Vol. 1. Conceptualization and measurement (pp. 51–61). Washington, DC: American Association on Mental Retardation.
Individuals With Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004, 20 U.S.C. § 1400 et seq.
25.
KatsiyannisA.ZhangD.RyanJ. B.JonesJ. (2007). High-stakes testing and students with disabilities: Challenges and promises. Journal of Disability Policy Studies, 18, 160–167.
26.
KayK.HoneyM. (2006). Establishing the R&D agenda for twenty-first century learning. In SchwarzE.KayK. (Eds.), New directions for youth development: The case for twenty-first century learning (pp. 63–80). San Francisco, CA: Wiley.
KohlerP. D.FieldS. (2003). Transition-focused education: Foundation for the future. The Journal of Special Education, 37, 174–183. doi:10.1177/00224669030370030701
29.
LadwigJ. C. (2010). Beyond academic outcomes. Review of Research in Education, 34, 113–141. doi:10.3102/0091732X09353062
McLaughlinM. (2010). Evolving interpretations of educational equity and students with disabilities. Exceptional Children, 76, 265–278.
34.
MorningstarM. E.LombardiA.FowlerC. H.TestD. W. (2015). A college and career readiness framework for secondary students with disabilities. Career Development and Transition for Exceptional Individuals. Advance online publication. doi:10.1177/2165143415589926
35.
National Center for Education Statistics. (2015a). Chapter 3: Postsecondary education. In Digest of education statistics: 2012 (NCES 2014-2015). Retrieved from http://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d12/ch_3.asp
PazeyB. L.Vasquez HeiligJ.ColeH. A.SumberaM. (2015). The more things change, the more they stay the same: Comparing special education students’ experiences of accountability reform across two decades. The Urban Review, 47, 365–392. doi:10.1007/s11256-014-0312-7
43.
PhelpsL. A.Hanley-MaxwellC. (1997). School-to-work transitions for youth with disabilities: A review of outcomes and procedures. Review of Educational Research, 67, 197–226.
44.
PlotnerA. J.MazzottiV. L. (2014). Secondary education to adult life transition policy and practice. Journal of Disability Policy Studies, 25, 3–4. doi:10.1177/1044207314529157
SalpeterJ. (2003, October). 21st century skills: Will our children be prepared?Technology and Learning, 24(3), 17–26.
48.
SchalockR. L. (1996). Reconsidering the conceptualization and measurement of quality of life. In SchalockR. L. (Ed.), Quality of life: Vol. 1: Conceptualization and measurement (pp. 123–139). Washington, DC: American Association on Mental Retardation.
49.
SchalockR. L. (1997). Preface. In SchalockR. L.SipersteinG. N. (Eds.), Quality of life: Volume II: Application to persons with disabilities (pp. xi–xiii). Washington, DC: American Associations on Mental Retardation.
50.
SchalockR. L.BrownI.BrownR.CumminsR. A.FelceD.MatikkaL.ParmenterT. (2002). Conceptualization, measurement, and application of quality of life for persons with intellectual disabilities: Report of an international panel of experts. Mental Retardation, 40, 457–470.
51.
SchalockR. L.VerdugoM. A. (2012). A leadership guide for today’s disability organizations: Overcoming challenges and making change happen. Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brookes.
TestD. W.MazzottiV. L.MustianA. L. (2012). Leadership for transition to postsecondary settings. In CrockettJ.BillingsleyB.BoscardinM. L. (Eds.), Handbook of leadership in special education (pp. 337–357). London, England: Routledge.
54.
TestD. W.MazzottiV. L.MustianA. L.FowlerC. H.KorteringL. J.KohlerP. H. (2009). Evidence-based secondary transition predictors for improving post-school outcomes for students with disabilities. Career Development and Exceptional Individuals, 32, 160–181.
55.
ThomasS. B.DykesF. (2011). Promoting successful transitions: What can we learn from RTI to enhance outcomes for all students?Preventing School Failure, 55, 1–9. doi:10.1080/10459880903217978
56.
TrillingB.FadelC. (2009). 21st century skills: Learning for life in our times. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
57.
TurnbullH. R.TurnbullA.WehmeyerM. L.ParkJ. (2003). A quality of life framework for special education. Remedial and Special Education, 24, 67–74.
U.S. Government Accountability Office. (2009). Higher education and disability: Education needs a coordinated approach to improve its assistance to schools in supporting students. Retrieved from http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-10-33
62.
U.S. Government Accountability Office. (2012). Students with disabilities: Better federal coordination could lessen challenges in the transition from high school. Retrieved from http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-594
VelezA. (2012). Preparing students for the future: 21st century skills (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). University of Southern California, Los Angeles.
66.
WehmeyerM. L. (2015). Framing the future: Self-determination. Remedial and Special Education, 36, 20–23.
