U.S. Postsecondary Students with Disabilities: Where Are They?
Main Article Content
Keywords
disability studies, IDEA, IDEIA, higher education, postsecondary education
Abstract
No research has explored where U.S. postsecondary students enroll through quantitative methods over extended periods of time. In this five-year panel study, data suggested urban, public, and bachelor’s-level institutions enrolled more students with disabilities than peers, while enrollment has steadily increased since 2013. Implications for research and practice are addressed.
References
Adams, K. S., & Proctor, B. E. (2010). Adaptation to college for students with and without disabilities: Group differences and predictors. Journal of Postsecondary Education and Disability, 22(3), 166-184. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ906691
Avellone, L., & Scott, S. (2017, March). National databases with information on college students
with disabilities. NCCSD Research Brief, 1(1). http://www.NCCSDonline.org
Brinckerhoff, L. C., Shaw, S. F., & McGuire, J. M. (1992). Promoting access, accommodations, and independence for college students with learning disabilities. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 25(7), 417-429. https://doi.org/10.1177/002221949202500702
Bursick, W. D., Rose, E., Cowen, S., & Mohd, A. Y. (1989). Nationwide survey of postsecondary education services for students with learning disabilities. Exceptional Children, 56(3), 236-245. https://doi.org/10.1177/001440298905600309
Cawthon, S., & Cole, E.V. (2010). Postsecondary students who have a learning disability: Student perspectives on accommodations access and obstacles. Journal of Postsecondary Education and Disability, 23(2), 112-128. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ906696
Cheatham, G.A., & Elliott, W. (2013). The effects of family college savings on postsecondary school enrollment rates of students with disabilities. Economics of Education Review, 33, 95-111. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.econedurev.2012.09.011
Fichten, C. S., Asuncion, J. V., Barile, M., Robillard, C., Fossey, M. E., & Lamb, D. (2003). Canadian postsecondary students with disabilities: Where are they? Canadian Journal of Higher Education, 33(3), 71-113. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ788474
Getzel, E. E., & Thoma, C. A. (2008). Experiences of college students with disabilities and the importance of self-determination in higher education settings. Career Development and Transition for Exceptional Individuals, 31(2), 77-84. https://doi.org/10.1177/0885728808317658
Gibbons, R. D., & Hedeker, D. (1994). Application of random-effects probit regression models. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 62(2), 285-296. https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/4c1c/bc1311b6509111cbd577a4a6207e33d0bf89.pdf
Haber, M. G., Mazzotti, V. L., Mustian, A. L., Rowe, D. A., Bartholomew, A. L., Test, D. W., & Fowler, C. H. (2016). What works, when, for whom, and with whom: A meta-analytic review of predictors of postsecondary success for students with disabilities. Review of Educational Research, 86(1), 123-162. https://doi.org/10.3102/0034654315583135
Institute of Education Sciences. (2009). NLTS2 Wave 5 (2009) Parent/Young Adult Survey. https://nlts2.sri.com/data_tables/tables/14/np5PostSec_everfrm.html
Kimball, E. W., Wells, R. S., Ostiguy, B. J., Manly, C. A., & Lauterbach, A. A. (2016). Students with disabilities in higher education: A review of the literature and an agenda for future research. Higher Education: Handbook of Theory and Research, 31, 91-156. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-26829-3_3
Kochhar-Bryant, C., Bassett, D.S., & Webb, K.W. (2009). Transition to postsecondary education
for students with disabilities. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.
Madaus, J. W. (2011). The history of disability services in higher education. New Directions for
Higher Education, 2011(154), 5-15. https://doi.org/10.1002/he.429
Madaus, J. W., Shaw, S.F. (2006). Disability services in postsecondary education: Impact of IDEA 2004. Journal of Developmental Education, 30(1), 12-20 https://www.proquest.com/openview/8c1cf3db49e33b7be7901e49cab2cb32
Mamiseishvili, K., & Koch, L. C. (2012). Students with disabilities at 2-year institutions in the United States: Factors related to success. Community College Review, 40(4), 320-339. https://doi.org/10.1177/0091552112456281
McGuire, J. M., & Shaw, S. F. (1987). A decision-making process for the college-bound student: Matching learner, institution, and support program. Learning Disability Quarterly, 10(2), 106-111. https://doi.org/10.2307/1510217
National Center for Education Statistics. (2019). Integrated postsecondary education data system. https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/
Paul, S. (2000). Students with disabilities in higher education: A review of the literature. College Student Journal, 34(2), 200-210. https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2000-00307-005
Plotner, A. J., & Marshall, K. J. (2015). Postsecondary education programs for students with an intellectual disability: Facilitators and barriers to implementation. Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 53(1), 58-69. https://doi.org/10.1352/1934-9556-53.1.58
Prince, A. M. T., Katsiyannis, A., & Farmer, J. (2013). Postsecondary transition under IDEA 2004: A legal update. Intervention in School and Clinic, 48(5), 286–293. https://doi.org/10.1177/1053451212472233
Quick, D., Lehmann, J., & Deniston, T. (2003). Opening doors for students with disabilities on community college campuses: What have we learned? What do we still need to know? Community College Journal of Research and Practice, 27(9-10), 815-827. https://doi.org/10.1080/713838274
Renn, K. A., & Reason, R. D. (2013). College students in the United States: Characteristics, experiences, and outcomes. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
Scott, S. (2019, April). Access and participation in higher education: Perspectives of college students with disabilities. NCCSD Research Brief, 2(2). http://www.nccsdonline.org/uploads/7/6/7/7/7677280/na_focus_groups_research_brief_final_pdf.pdf
Sitlington, P.L. (2003). Postsecondary education: The other transition. Exceptionality, 11(2),
103-113, https://doi.org/10.1207/S15327035EX1102_05
Sitlington, P. L., & Clark, G. M. (2007). The transition assessment process and IDEIA 2004. Assessment for Effective Intervention, 32(3), 133–142. https://doi.org/10.1177/15345084070320030201
Skinner, M. E., & Lindstrom, B. D. (2003). Bridging the gap between high school and college: Strategies for the successful transition of students with learning disabilities. Preventing School Failure: Alternative Education for Children and Youth, 47(3), 132-137. https://doi.org/10.1080/10459880309604441
U.S. Department of Education. (2000). Education statistics quarterly (Report No. NCES 2001-602). https://nces.ed.gov/pubs2018/2018432.pdf
U.S. Department of Education. (2011). Trends in attainment among student populations at increased risk of noncompletion: Selected years, 1989–90 to 2008–09. https://nces.ed.gov/pubs2012/2012254.pdf
U.S. Department of Education. (2017, December). Characteristics and outcomes of undergraduates with disabilities (Report No. NCES 2018-432). https://nces.ed.gov/pubs2018/2018432.pdf
U.S. Department of Education. (2021). Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Subchapter II. https://sites.ed.gov/idea/statute-chapter-33/subchapter-ii
Wiseman, R. L., Emry, R. A., & Morgan, D. (1988). Predicting academic success for disabled students in higher education. Research in Higher Education, 28(3), 255-269. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00992234
Wooldridge, J. M. (2009). Introductory econometrics: A modern approach (4th ed.). Mason, OH: South-Western.
Yssel, N., Pak, N., & Beilke, J. (2016). A door must be opened: Perceptions of students with disabilities in higher education. International Journal of Disability, Development and Education, 63(3), 384-394. https://doi.org/10.1080/1034912X.2015.1123232
Avellone, L., & Scott, S. (2017, March). National databases with information on college students
with disabilities. NCCSD Research Brief, 1(1). http://www.NCCSDonline.org
Brinckerhoff, L. C., Shaw, S. F., & McGuire, J. M. (1992). Promoting access, accommodations, and independence for college students with learning disabilities. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 25(7), 417-429. https://doi.org/10.1177/002221949202500702
Bursick, W. D., Rose, E., Cowen, S., & Mohd, A. Y. (1989). Nationwide survey of postsecondary education services for students with learning disabilities. Exceptional Children, 56(3), 236-245. https://doi.org/10.1177/001440298905600309
Cawthon, S., & Cole, E.V. (2010). Postsecondary students who have a learning disability: Student perspectives on accommodations access and obstacles. Journal of Postsecondary Education and Disability, 23(2), 112-128. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ906696
Cheatham, G.A., & Elliott, W. (2013). The effects of family college savings on postsecondary school enrollment rates of students with disabilities. Economics of Education Review, 33, 95-111. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.econedurev.2012.09.011
Fichten, C. S., Asuncion, J. V., Barile, M., Robillard, C., Fossey, M. E., & Lamb, D. (2003). Canadian postsecondary students with disabilities: Where are they? Canadian Journal of Higher Education, 33(3), 71-113. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ788474
Getzel, E. E., & Thoma, C. A. (2008). Experiences of college students with disabilities and the importance of self-determination in higher education settings. Career Development and Transition for Exceptional Individuals, 31(2), 77-84. https://doi.org/10.1177/0885728808317658
Gibbons, R. D., & Hedeker, D. (1994). Application of random-effects probit regression models. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 62(2), 285-296. https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/4c1c/bc1311b6509111cbd577a4a6207e33d0bf89.pdf
Haber, M. G., Mazzotti, V. L., Mustian, A. L., Rowe, D. A., Bartholomew, A. L., Test, D. W., & Fowler, C. H. (2016). What works, when, for whom, and with whom: A meta-analytic review of predictors of postsecondary success for students with disabilities. Review of Educational Research, 86(1), 123-162. https://doi.org/10.3102/0034654315583135
Institute of Education Sciences. (2009). NLTS2 Wave 5 (2009) Parent/Young Adult Survey. https://nlts2.sri.com/data_tables/tables/14/np5PostSec_everfrm.html
Kimball, E. W., Wells, R. S., Ostiguy, B. J., Manly, C. A., & Lauterbach, A. A. (2016). Students with disabilities in higher education: A review of the literature and an agenda for future research. Higher Education: Handbook of Theory and Research, 31, 91-156. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-26829-3_3
Kochhar-Bryant, C., Bassett, D.S., & Webb, K.W. (2009). Transition to postsecondary education
for students with disabilities. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.
Madaus, J. W. (2011). The history of disability services in higher education. New Directions for
Higher Education, 2011(154), 5-15. https://doi.org/10.1002/he.429
Madaus, J. W., Shaw, S.F. (2006). Disability services in postsecondary education: Impact of IDEA 2004. Journal of Developmental Education, 30(1), 12-20 https://www.proquest.com/openview/8c1cf3db49e33b7be7901e49cab2cb32
Mamiseishvili, K., & Koch, L. C. (2012). Students with disabilities at 2-year institutions in the United States: Factors related to success. Community College Review, 40(4), 320-339. https://doi.org/10.1177/0091552112456281
McGuire, J. M., & Shaw, S. F. (1987). A decision-making process for the college-bound student: Matching learner, institution, and support program. Learning Disability Quarterly, 10(2), 106-111. https://doi.org/10.2307/1510217
National Center for Education Statistics. (2019). Integrated postsecondary education data system. https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/
Paul, S. (2000). Students with disabilities in higher education: A review of the literature. College Student Journal, 34(2), 200-210. https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2000-00307-005
Plotner, A. J., & Marshall, K. J. (2015). Postsecondary education programs for students with an intellectual disability: Facilitators and barriers to implementation. Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 53(1), 58-69. https://doi.org/10.1352/1934-9556-53.1.58
Prince, A. M. T., Katsiyannis, A., & Farmer, J. (2013). Postsecondary transition under IDEA 2004: A legal update. Intervention in School and Clinic, 48(5), 286–293. https://doi.org/10.1177/1053451212472233
Quick, D., Lehmann, J., & Deniston, T. (2003). Opening doors for students with disabilities on community college campuses: What have we learned? What do we still need to know? Community College Journal of Research and Practice, 27(9-10), 815-827. https://doi.org/10.1080/713838274
Renn, K. A., & Reason, R. D. (2013). College students in the United States: Characteristics, experiences, and outcomes. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
Scott, S. (2019, April). Access and participation in higher education: Perspectives of college students with disabilities. NCCSD Research Brief, 2(2). http://www.nccsdonline.org/uploads/7/6/7/7/7677280/na_focus_groups_research_brief_final_pdf.pdf
Sitlington, P.L. (2003). Postsecondary education: The other transition. Exceptionality, 11(2),
103-113, https://doi.org/10.1207/S15327035EX1102_05
Sitlington, P. L., & Clark, G. M. (2007). The transition assessment process and IDEIA 2004. Assessment for Effective Intervention, 32(3), 133–142. https://doi.org/10.1177/15345084070320030201
Skinner, M. E., & Lindstrom, B. D. (2003). Bridging the gap between high school and college: Strategies for the successful transition of students with learning disabilities. Preventing School Failure: Alternative Education for Children and Youth, 47(3), 132-137. https://doi.org/10.1080/10459880309604441
U.S. Department of Education. (2000). Education statistics quarterly (Report No. NCES 2001-602). https://nces.ed.gov/pubs2018/2018432.pdf
U.S. Department of Education. (2011). Trends in attainment among student populations at increased risk of noncompletion: Selected years, 1989–90 to 2008–09. https://nces.ed.gov/pubs2012/2012254.pdf
U.S. Department of Education. (2017, December). Characteristics and outcomes of undergraduates with disabilities (Report No. NCES 2018-432). https://nces.ed.gov/pubs2018/2018432.pdf
U.S. Department of Education. (2021). Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Subchapter II. https://sites.ed.gov/idea/statute-chapter-33/subchapter-ii
Wiseman, R. L., Emry, R. A., & Morgan, D. (1988). Predicting academic success for disabled students in higher education. Research in Higher Education, 28(3), 255-269. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00992234
Wooldridge, J. M. (2009). Introductory econometrics: A modern approach (4th ed.). Mason, OH: South-Western.
Yssel, N., Pak, N., & Beilke, J. (2016). A door must be opened: Perceptions of students with disabilities in higher education. International Journal of Disability, Development and Education, 63(3), 384-394. https://doi.org/10.1080/1034912X.2015.1123232
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Aug 9, 2024
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Author Biographies
Z.W. Taylor, The University of Southern Mississippi
Dr. Z.W. Taylor is an assistant professor at the University of Southern Mississippi. Dr. Taylor has worked in education for 14 years as a pre-college counselor, financial aid consultant, assistant director of admissions, and admissions analyst, specifically aiming to serve low-income students, students with disabilities, and students of color.
Ibrahim Bicak, University of Chicago
Dr. Ibrahim Bicak is a Data Analyst in The Office of the Dean of the College at the University of Chicago.