Youth and Parent Participation in Transition Planning in the U.S.A.: Findings from the National Longitudinal Transition Study 2012 (NLTS 2012)

The purpose of this study was to use data from the United States' National Longitudinal Transition Study 2012 (NLTS 2012) to present descriptive information on youth and parent participation and youth's role in required Individualized Education Program (IEP)/transition planning meetings by disability category and age groupings (14-22 year olds, 14-15 year olds, and 16-22 year olds). The study found that youth and parent attendance in IEP/transition planning meetings was high across disability categories, but the extent to which youth and parents met with teachers to discuss transition goals was much lower. Data from NLTS 2012 and a previous U.S. study, the National Longitudinal Transition Study 2 (NLTS2), were compared for youth's participation with school staff in discussing transition goals. A significant decline in participation was found over the past decade. Logistic regression analyses illustrated differences in youth and parent participation and youth's role by disability category.

Parent Expectations, Deaf Youth Expectations, and Transition Goals as Predictors of Postsecondary Education Enrollment

This study used the National Longitudinal Transition Study–2 (NLTS2) data set to determine the effects of expectations and transition planning goals on the postsecondary education enrollment of deaf youth. Propensity scoring modeling results indicated that high expectations held by deaf youth and their parents significantly predicted postsecondary education attendance at 2- and 4-year college, and career and technical education (CTE) school. College enrollment as a transition planning goal for deaf youth also significantly predicted enrollment in all three types of postsecondary education institutions. Postsecondary CTE school attendance as a transition plan goal for deaf youth did not make a difference in enrollment outcomes for CTE and 2-year college, and significantly reduced their odds of attending 4-year college. Implications regarding expectations and transition plan goals are discussed.

Digital Citizenship: Technology Access and Use for Youth With and Without Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Technology is integral to the lives of youth who, as digital citizens, use technology to participate in social and civic action to improve their communities. Using a digital citizenship framework and National Longitudinal Transition Study of 2012 data, we explored technology access and use between youth with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). We found youth with IDD have less access and less participation across four digital citzienship elements putting them at greater risk for digital social isolation and community disengagment. Given the COVID-19 pandemic, which has thrust employment, school, health, and social lives to online spaces, we situate our findings on digital access, opportunity, and support and call for individual and systems-level investment in digital citizenship to support full participation.

National Picture of the Self-Determination Characteristics of Secondary School English Learners With Disabilities

We examined the self-determination of English learners with disabilities in secondary school, based on a secondary analysis of the National Longitudinal Transition Study 2012 (NLTS 2012). Self-determination characteristics of English learners with disabilities differed significantly from those of other students with disabilities, and of English learner students and students who are not English learners in the general population, including their being less likely to act autonomously or report empowerment-related or self-realization-related behaviors. Multivariate analyses identified several student and family characteristics associated with variations in aspects of self-determination, including age, gender, and postsecondary expectations. Implications for practice and research are discussed, including the importance of considering these factors when selecting, implementing, and evaluating self-determination interventions for English learners with disabilities.

Differences in Self-Determination Across Disability Categories: Findings From National Longitudinal Transition Study 2012

Researchers have established variability in self-determination scores across disability groups, but most nationally representative research has used data collected over a decade ago from the National Longitudinal Transition Study 2 (NLTS2). To provide an updated analysis of differences in characteristics of self-determination (i.e., autonomy, psychological empowerment, self-realization) across disability groups, this study analyzed data from the recently completed National Longitudinal Transition Study 2012 (NLTS2012). The authors tested measurement equivalence across seven disability groups: high-incidence disabilities (learning disabilities, emotional disturbances, speech or language impairments, and other health impairments), sensory disabilities (visual and hearing impairment), multiple disabilities (multiple disabilities and deaf-blindness), intellectual disability, traumatic brain injury, orthopedic impairments, and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Students in the multiple disabilities, intellectual disability, and ASD groups showed lower self-determination scores compared with other disability groups. Greater variability was also found in scores among these groups. Implications for assessment research practice, and policy are highlighted.

Parents’ Postsecondary Education Expectations for Students with Autism, Intellectual Disability, and Multiple Disabilities: Findings From NLTS 2012

This study uses data from the National Longitudinal Transition Study 2012 to examine predictors at the individual, family, and school levels associated with parental expectations toward postsecondary education among students with significant support needs, including those with autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, and multiple disabilities. Consistent with previous studies, chi-square tests revealed a positive relation between socioeconomic status such as household income or parental education level and parental expectations. Logistic regression analyses showed that whether parents have a college degree and whether students have participated in college entrance or advanced placement tests are factors that are positively associated with parental expectations toward children’s future education.

Exploring Correlates of Paid Early Work Experiences for Youth With Autism Using NLTS2012 Data

Prior research has demonstrated that paid work experience while in school is a predictor of postschool employment outcomes for youth with disabilities. For youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), early paid work experience in high school can provide a place to learn occupational skills as well as develop communication, problem solving and interpersonal skills and behaviors that are essential for obtaining and maintaining employment. In the present study, we examined the extent to which youth with ASD have engaged in early paid work experiences while in school and factors associated with such experiences, using data from the National Longitudinal Transition Study 2012 . We found that approximately 24.4% of youth with ASD reported having been involved in a paid work experience during high school at some point within the past year. Further, age, social engagement, household income, and parent expectations were significant predictors of early paid work experience. Implications for practice and research are discussed.

IEP/Transition Planning Participation Among Students With the Most Significant Cognitive Disabilities: Findings From NLTS 2012

This study used data from the National Longitudinal Transition Study 2012 (NLTS 2012) to explore the individualized education program (IEP)/transition planning participation and role of students with the most significant cognitive disabilities, compared to students with other disabilities. We viewed students with the most significant cognitive disabilities as those included in three disability categories— autism, intellectual disability, and multiple disabilities—who took an alternate assessment. The study also included an analysis of student’s participation in relation to their functional, communication, and self-advocacy skills, and student–teacher relationships. Although students with the most significant cognitive disabilities experienced greater limitations overall, students with other disabilities were experiencing similar challenges. Implications for practice were discussed from the lens of student engagement, self-determination, and student’s leadership role.

Parent and Youth Post-School Expectations: Students With Intellectual Disability in Rural Schools

While research exists on parent expectations associated with post-school outcomes of youth with intellectual disability, limited research examines issues of parent—and youth—post-school expectations relative to issues of community, such as living in rural versus urban or suburban settings. Through a secondary analysis of the National Longitudinal Transition Study (NLTS) 2012, we examined parent and youth expectations regarding post-school outcomes for students with intellectual disability relative to school locale (i.e., rural, urban, and suburban) and severity of intellectual disability. Youth from rural schools reported high rates of positive post-school expectations with regard to independent living and being employed, and their rates relative to independent living exceeded parental expectations. However, across the different variables, school locale was only a factor in the binary or ordinal logistic regression analyses for two dependent variables: parental expectation for their child to support themselves financially and parental expectations of obtained level of education.

Assistive Technology for Students With Disabilities: An Updated Snapshot

Assistive technology can benefit students with disabilities in terms of independence and performance. Yet more research is needed regarding usage of assistive technology. Using the National Longitudinal Transition Study 2012 database, the authors explored reported use regarding assistive technology by secondary students with disabilities. Overall, the authors found low rates of assistive technology reported use among students with disabilities aggregated, although there were large ranges across disability categories (e.g., 14.5%–74.0% for use of assistive technology). Disability category had a statistically significant relationship with reported assistive technology use for secondary students.