This study examined access to LD services in California's 103 community colleges. The data describe the pattern of referrals for LD, eligibility decisions, and students served according to age, ethnic, and gender groupings. Referrals in these settings are self-initiated and decisions on who receives state-supported classes and services are based on a statewide eligibility model.
While the nature of students judged eligible and served as LD was similar to the referral patterns, the initial referrals themselves did not reflect the proportional groupings of the colleges' age, gender, and ethnic groups; besides, year-to-year fluctuations were noted. Fewer referrals were observed from some age and ethnic groups; the most notable differences included lower percentages of older students and Asian and Filipino students. These differences may be associated with such factors as the students' goals, self-attributions, and social influences. Of particular interest in future research is examination of influences on students' decisions to seek assistance in the community college setting.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
AdelmanP.B.VogelS.A. (1990). College graduates with learning disabilities—employment attainment and career patterns. Learning Disability Quarterly, 13, 154–156.
2.
AlgozzineB.ChristiansonS.YsseldykeJ.E. (1982). Probabilities associated with the referral to placement process. Teacher Education and Special Education, 5, 19–23.
3.
California Post Secondary Education Commission. (1989). Comments on the community colleges' study of students with learning disabilities. (Report 89-5). Sacramento: Author.
4.
California Post Secondary Education Commission. (1990). Comments on the California community colleges' 1989 study of students with learning disabilities. (Report 90-14). Sacramento: Author.
5.
Chancellor's Office. (1987). Review of the eligibility model for learning disabilities. Sacramento, CA: Chancellor's Office, Disabled Students Programs and Services, California Community Colleges.
6.
Chancellor's Office. (1988a). Intake interview and eligibility record. Sacramento, CA: Chancellor's Office, Disabled Students Programs and Services, California Community Colleges.
7.
Chancellor's Office. (1988b). Program development and management manual. Sacramento, CA: Chancellor's Office, Disabled Students Programs and Services, California Community Colleges.
8.
Chancellor's Office. (1992). Disabled students programs and services, annual report 1990–91. Sacramento, CA: Chancellor's Office, Disabled Students Programs and Services, California Community Colleges.
9.
DeFriesJ.C. (1989). Gender ratios in children with reading disability and their affected relatives: A commentary. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 22, 544–545.
10.
DuranB.J.WefferR.E. (1992). Immigrants' aspirations, high school process, and academic outcomes. American Educational Research Journal, 29, 163–181.
11.
FairweatherJ.S.ShaverD.M. (1991). Making the transition to postsecondary education and training. Exceptional Children, 57, 264–270.
12.
FornessS.R. (1985). Effects of public policy at the state level: California's impact on MR, LD, and ED categories. Remedial and Special Education, 6 (3), 36–43.
13.
FourqureanJ.M.MeisgeierC.SwankP.R.WilliamsR.E. (1991). Correlates of postsecondary employment outcomes for young adults with learning disabilities. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 24, 400–405.
14.
GelbS.A.MizokawaD.T. (1986). Special education and social structure: The commonality of “exceptionality.”American Educational Research Journal23, 543–557.
15.
GrantC.A.SleeterC.E. (1986). Race, class, and gender in education research: An argument for integrative analysis. Review of Educational Research, 56, 195–211.
16.
HaringK.A.LovettD.L.SmithD.D. (1990). A follow-up of recent special education graduates of learning disabilities programs. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 23, 108–113.
17.
HunterJ.E.SchmidtF.L. (1976). Critical analysis of the statistical and ethical implications of various definitions oftest bias. Psychological Bulletin, 83, 1053–1071.
18.
JastakJ.F.BijouS.W.JastakS. (1978). Wide range achievement-revised. Wilmington, DE: Jastak Associates.
19.
JorgensonM.MellardD.F. (1988). Qualitative survey of programs for students evaluated for learning disabilities. Sacramento, CA: Chancellor's Office, Disabled Students Programs and Services, California Community Colleges.
20.
MacMillanD.L.HendrickI.G.WatkinsA.V. (1988). Impact of Diana, Larry P., and P.L. 94–142 on minority students. Exceptional Children, 54, 426–432.
21.
MalcolmC.B.PolatajkoH.J.SimonsJ. (1990). A descriptive study of adults with suspected learning disabilities. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 23, 518–520.
22.
MellardD.F. (1988). Demographic characteristics: Learning disabilities eligibility model. Sacramento, CA: Chancellor's Office, Disabled Students Programs and Services, California Community Colleges.
23.
MellardD.F. (1990). The eligibility process: Identifying students with learning disabilities in California's community colleges. Learning Disabilities Focus, 5, 75–90.
24.
MellardD.F.DeshlerD.D. (1984). Modeling the condition of learning disabilities on post-secondary populations. Educational Psychologist, 19, 188–197.
25.
MercerC.King-SearsP.MercerA.R. (1990). Learning disabilities definitions and criteria used by state education departments. Learning Disability Quarterly, 13, 141–152.
26.
MillerR.J.SniderB.RzoncaC. (1990). Variables related to the decision of young adults with learning disabilities to participate in postsecondary education. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 23, 349–354.
27.
MorrisM.LeuenbergerJ. (1990). A report of cognitive, academic and linguistic profiles for college students with and without learning disabilities. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 23, 355–360, 385.
28.
OstertagB.A.BakerR.E.HowardR.F.BestL. (1982). Learning disabled programs in California community colleges. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 15, 535–538.
29.
PutnamM.L. (1984). Post-secondary education for learning disabled students: A review of the literature. Journal of College Student Personnel, 25 (1), 68–75.
30.
RoganL.L.HartmanL.D. (1990). Adult outcome of learning disabled students 10 years after initial follow-up. Learning Disabilities Focus, 5, 91–102.
31.
SattlerJ.M. (1988). Larry P. extension challenged in court. National Association of School Psychologists Communique, 16 (9), 10.
32.
ScuccimarraD.J.SpeeceD.L. (1990). Employment outcomes and social integration of students with mild handicaps: The quality of life two years after high school. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 23, 518–520.
33.
ShapiroE.S.LentzF.E. (1991). Vocational-technical programs: Follow-up of students with learning disabilities. Exceptional Children, 58, 47–59.
34.
ShaywitzS.E.ShaywitzB.A.FletcherJ.M.EscobarM.D. (1990). Prevalence of reading disability in boys and girls. Journal of American Medical Association, 264, 998–1002.
35.
SiegelS.Gaylord-RossR. (1991). Factors associated with employment success among youths with learning disabilities. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 24, 40–47.
36.
SitlingtonP.FrankA.R. (1990). Are adolescents with learning disabilities successfully crossing the bridge into adult life?Learning Disability Quarterly, 13, 97–111.
37.
ValdesK.A.WilliamsonC.L.WagnerM.M. (1990). The national longitudinal transition study of special education students: statistical almanac, volume 2: Youth categorized as learning disabled. Palo Alto, CA: SRI International.
38.
VogelS.A. (1986). Levels and patterns of intellectual functioning among LD college students: Clinical and educational implications. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 19, 71–79.
39.
VogelS.A. (1990). Gender differences in intelligence, language, visual-motor abilities, and academic achievements in students with learning disabilities: A review of the literature. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 23, 44–52.
YsseldykeJ.E.ChristiansonS.PiantaB.AlgozzineB. (1983). An analysis of teachers' reasons and desired outcomes for students referred for psychoeducational evaluation. Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment, 1, 73–83.
