Status
and Trends in Educational Support Provision in Postsecondary Education
Strategic Plan of Research: Cell B2 |
Issue
A national survey
of postsecondary support provision for students with disabilities in postsecondary
education was conducted in 1999 and provided a comprehensive national baseline
of data to address issues concerning educational support provision. This
national survey was replicated in 2001 in an effort to identify potential
trends over a two year period. Results from the two surveys provide crucial
information for researchers seeking to ascertain the current status and
trends in educational supports and provisions to students with disabilities
in postsecondary education programs.
Findings
- There is an upward trend in postsecondary offering of educational
supports/services for students with disabilities as assessed over a
two year period. Areas that indicate significant improvement are the
provision of assistive technology (AT) and instructional accommodations
(e.g., translators, tutors and note takers).
- The most commonly offered educational supports identified in both
surveys were testing accommodations, advocacy, and personal counseling.
- The areas of support provision where postsecondary providers have
consistently fallen short are transfer of supports to the work setting,
related services, and evaluation of support services (e.g., disability-specific
scholarship, support for study abroad, accessible transport on campus,
disability-specific assessment/evaluation and AT evaluation for students
with disabilities).
Implications
- Although postsecondary institutions are increasing their commitment
to students with disabilities by offering greater access to support
services, the supports, services, and accommodations offered today continue
to not adequately meet the needs of students.
- Continued research is required to improve the effectiveness of postsecondary
educational supports/services for students with disabilities.
Supporting
Materials: www.rrtc.hawaii.edu;
Types
& Freq of ED Supports; Stodden, Current Status of Edu Support Provision;
Tech. Report; 2 yr follow up study; Services,
Supports and Accommod. (NCSET Pub #1)
Brief Authors Teresa Whelley, Chuan
Chang, Joie Acosta
