Document Type

Dissertation

Date of Award

5-2024

School/College

College of Education (COE)

Degree Name

Ed.D., Educational Administration

Committee Chairperson

James Cunningham

Committee Member 1

Emmanuel Nwagwu

Committee Member 2

Toya Conston

Committee Member 3

Melanie Lawson

Keywords

IEP Transition Plan, Post School Outcomes, Special Education Transition Planning, State Performance Plan Indicators

Abstract

Transitioning away from high school to postsecondary life can be a complicated process for any young person. This process can be made more difficult for students with disabilities if options are not put in place before they leave high school. This is where the transition process becomes an important development to help guide students with Individual Education Programs (IEPs) into postsecondary opportunities once they exit high school. The purpose(s) of this study was to examine selected post-school transition factors of former students with disabilities who had an IEP in high school. Additionally, this study aimed to provide descriptive data on the select variables which include post-school job training, postsecondary education, and post-school employment. Lastly, this study provided insight into outcomes of students with IEPs as well as provide implications for practices for students, educators, employers, agencies, and other stakeholders in the transition process. The data for this study utilized archival records of the Texas Education Agency State Performance Plan Indicator 14: Student-Centered Transitions Network Survey (2018-2020). This study showed the trends of the three years under investigation have not produced measurable gains allowing more students to successfully engage in post-school outcomes once they’ve exited high school. The researcher positively learned that essential resources are needed for effective school-based transition planning and post-school outcomes for students with disabilities. The examination of the trends in this study supported the researcher’s conclusion that more work is needed to ensure students with IEPs have the proper transition planning that takes account of their strengths and weaknesses, their wishes for post-school life in the areas of postsecondary education, employment, job training, and to become productive members of society and the community.

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