Four Years Out: Differences in Postschool Experiences of Youth With Disabilities Who Did and Did Not Complete High School Findings from the National Longitudinal

Four Years Out: Differences in Postschool Experiences of Youth With Disabilities Who

Did and Did Not Complete High School

Findings from the National Longitudinal Transition Study-2 (NLTS2)

Mary Wagner, Ph.D.SRI International

Secondary Transition State Planning Institute: Building for the Future

Charlotte, North Carolina

May 7-9, 2008

2

NLTS2 Overview

Stratified random sample

Nationally representative sample of 501 LEAs and 38 special schools, stratified by:• Geographic region

• Enrollment size

• District wealth

11,275 students by disability category

Focuses on Youth, ages 13 to 16 at start of study

Study began 2000–2001 school year

Generalizes to All disability categories, each age cohort

Longitudinal10 years (now in year 8)

5 waves of data collection over 9 years (wave 4 recently completed)

NLTS2 has been funded with federal funds from the U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Special Education Research, under contract number ED-01-CO-0003. The content of this publication does not necessarily reflect the view or policies of the U.S. Department of Education, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. government.

3

Data Sources

Parent telephone interviews

Youth telephone interviews/survey

NLTS2 Wave 3, 2005Responses for youth who have been out of high school up to 4 years (n= approximately 2,390)

Ages 17 through 21

4

Today’s Agenda

Review outcomes of youth with disabilities out of high school up to 4 years regarding:

• High school completion

• GED/high school equivalence

• Postsecondary education

• Employment

• Community participation

• Youth risk behaviors

• Living arrangements and family formation

Identify variations in outcomes associated with school-completion status

5

High School Completion by Youth with Disabilities

NOTE: High school completers are those who received a high school diploma or certificate of completion. Noncompleters are those who left high school without a diploma or certificate of completion, including 19 percent who were reported to have dropped out and 1 percent who were reported to have left for other reasons (e.g., permanent expulsion).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Special Education Research, National Longitudinal Transition Study-2 (NLTS2) Wave 3 parent interviews and youth interviews/survey, 2005.

Did not complete high school

Completed high school

20%

80%

6

School Completion Rate, by Disability Category

80

81

82

84

84

85

87

87

88

90

62Emotional disturbance

Mental retardation

Other health impairment

Learning disabilities

Speech/language impairment

Autism

Multiple disabilities

Visual impairment

Traumatic brain injury

Orthopedic impairment

Hearing impairment

Percent


7

High School Equivalency Diploma or Certificate Programs

8

Participation in High School Equivalency Diploma or Certificate Programs by

Youth With Disabilities Who LeftHigh School Without Finishing

32

34

37

Receipt of high school diplomaor certificate by those ever

enrolled in a GED or high schoolequivalency program

Enrolled in a GED or high schoolequivalency program in the past

2 years

Ever enrolled in a GED or highschool equivalency program

Percent


9

High School Equivalency Diploma or Certificate Program Enrollment by Noncompleters, by Disability Category

47

41

38

33

31

23

21

15

10

8

59Emotional disturbance


Hearing impairment



Learning disability

Mental retardation

Speech impairment

Visual impairment


Autism

PercentSources: U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Special Education Research, National Longitudinal Transition Study-2 (NLTS2) Wave 3 parent interviews and youth interviews/survey, 2005.

10

Postsecondary Education

11

Enrollment in Postsecondary Education Since Leaving High School

2643

21

30

14

53Any postsecondary institution

Vocational, technical, businessschool

2-year college

4-year college

Percent

Youth with disabilities in 1990

Youth with disabilities in 2005

Youth in the general population in 2001

*** p = <.001 comparing youth with disabilities in 2005 and those in the general population in 2001.Sources: U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Special Education Research, National Longitudinal Transition Study-2 (NLTS2) Wave 3 parent interviews and youth interviews/survey, 2005; National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (NLSY), 2001, youth survey, responses for youth ages 17-21.

***

12

Postsecondary Education Enrollment by Youth With Disabilities and in the General Population

at the Time of Interview

24

6

13

8

41

12

29

Anypostsecondary

institution

Vocational,technical school

2-year college

4-year college,university

Percent

Youth with disabilities General population

*** p = <.001comparing youth with disabilities and those in the general population.Sources: U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Special Education Research, National Longitudinal Transition Study-2 (NLTS2) Wave 3 parent interviews and youth interviews/survey, 2005; National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (NLSY), 2001, youth survey, responses for youth ages 17-21.

***

***

13

Postsecondary School Enrollment Since Leaving High School of Youth with Disabilities,

by High School Leaving Status

51

37

23

18

18

7

16

1

Any postsecondaryschool

2-year college

Vocational/technicalschool

4-year college

Percent

High school completers High school noncompleters

***p < .001comparing high school completers and noncompleters.Sources: U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Special Education Research, National Longitudinal Transition Study-2 (NLTS2) Wave 3 parent interviews and youth interviews/survey, 2005.

***

***

***

14

Postsecondary School Enrollment Since Leaving High School, by Disability Category

72

70

56

54

54

52

51

51

46

31

31

26

Visual impairment

Hearing impairment




Autism


Deaf-blindness

Learning disability

Emotional disturbance


Mental retardation

Percent


15

Full-Time Attendance at Postsecondary Schools by Youth With Disabilities, by School-Completion Status

*p < .001comparing high school completers and noncompleters.Note: Refers to current or most recent emrollment in postsecondary school.Sources: U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Special Education Research, National Longitudinal Transition Study-2 (NLTS2) Wave 3 parent interviews and youth interviews/survey, 2005.

26

75

71

High schoolnoncompleters

High schoolcompleters

All youth withdisabilities

Percent

*

16

Primary Focus of Courses at 2-Year Colleges by Youth With Disabilities, by School-Completion Status

58

29

10

3

58

29

10

3

75

25

1

0

Mostly academic

Mostly vocational

Both academic andvocational

Personal interest,neither academic

nor vocationalPercent

All youth with disabilities School completers Noncompleters

Note: Refers to current or most recent enrollment in postsecondary school.Sources: U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Special Education Research, National Longitudinal Transition Study-2 (NLTS2) Wave 3 parent interviews and youth interviews/survey, 2005.

17

Disclosure of Disability by Youth With Disabilities in Postsecondary School, by School-Completion Status

60

8

32

62

8

29

35

3

63

Do not consider selfto have a disability

Consider self tohave a disability and

have not informedschool of disability

Consider self tohave a disability and

have informedschool of disability

Percent


Note: Refers to current or most recent enrollment in postsecondary school.Sources: U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Special Education Research, National Longitudinal Transition Study-2 (NLTS2) Wave 3 parent interviews and youth interviews/survey, 2005.

18

Employment

19

Employment of Youth With Disabilities and Youth in the General Population

56

66

75

Employed attime of interview

Ever employedsince high

school

Percent

Youth with disabilities General population

U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Special Education Research, National Longitudinal Transition Study-2 (NLTS2) Wave 3 parent interviews and youth interviews/survey, 2005; National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (NLSY), 2001, youth survey, responses for youth ages 17-21.

20

Employment of Youth With Disabilities, by School Completion Status

59

43

68

78

Employed attime of interview

Ever employedsince high

school

Percent

School completers Noncompleters

U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Special Education Research, National Longitudinal Transition Study-2 (NLTS2) Wave 3 parent interviews and youth interviews/survey, 2005.

21

Employment Since High School of Youth Out of High School 1 to 4 Years, by Disability Category

70

67

64

61

58

57

56

46

44

39

39

72Learning disability




Autism

Visual impairment

Hearing impairment



Mental retardation

Deaf-blindness


Percent


22

Hours Worked by Youth With Disabilities Out of High School 1 to 4 Years, by School-Completion Status

60

16

25

34

57

16

27

33

69

13

18

36

35 or more

21 to 34.9

Fewer than 21

Average hours perweek

PercentAll youth with disabilities School completers Noncompleters

Note: Refers to current or most recent job.U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Special Education Research, National Longitudinal Transition Study-2 (NLTS2) Wave 3 parent interviews and youth interviews/survey, 2005.

Hours per week

23

Wages of Youth With Disabilities Out of High School 1 to 4 Years, by School-Completion Status

6

37

64

6

37

65

10

37

61

Less than$5.15

$5.15 to $7.00

More than$7.00 per hour



Percentage of youth earning hourly wage of:

Percent

24

18

3

18

3

23

2

Their employer isaware of youth's

disability

They receive jobaccommodations


Job Accommodations for Youth With Disabilities Out of High School 1 to 4 Years,

by School-Completion Status


Percentage of youth who report:

Percent

25

25

40

28All out-of-school

youth withdisabilities

Schoolcompleters

Noncompleters

Youth with Disabilities Ever Fired from a Job, by School-Completion Status


Percent

26

Engagement in Employment, Postsecondary Education,

and Job Training

27

Engagement of Youth With Disabilities in Employment or Postsecondary Education Since

Leaving High School, by School-Completion Status

22

32

15

31

16

36

9

23

32

33

17

34

Not engaged

Employment only

Postsecondary education only

Employment andpostsecondary education


*p < .05 comparing high school completers and noncompleters.U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Special Education Research, National Longitudinal Transition Study-2 (NLTS2) Wave 3 parent interviews and youth interviews/survey, 2005.

*

28

Engagement of Youth With Disabilities in Employment or Postsecondary Education Since Leaving High

School, by Disability Category

8887

87

85

82

79

73

72

69

61

60

57


Visual impairment

Hearing impairment


Learning disability

Autism




Deaf-blindness


Mental retardation

Percent

Source: U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Research, National Longitudinal Transition Study-2 (NLTS2), Wave 3 parent interview and youth interview/survey, 2005.

29

Positive and Negative

Community Participation

30

Community Participation of Youth with Disabilities, by School-Completion Status

84

24

27

27

67

84

27

30

30

72

81

8

14

12

44

Got together with friends at leastweekly outside of school or work

Took lessons or classes outsideof school

Took part in volunteer orcommunity service activities

Belonged to out-of-school group

Registered to vote


*p < .05, **p < .01, ***p < .001comparing high school completers and noncompleters.Source: U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Research, National Longitudinal Transition Study-2 (NLTS2), Wave 3 parent interview and youth interview/survey, 2005.

***

*

**Youth is:

***

In the past 12 months:

31

Participation in Community-Based Organized Group Activities in the Past 12 Months,

by Disability Category3636

30

30

30

29

28

26

25

22

22

15

Visual impairment

Deaf-blindness



Hearing impairment

Learning disability


Autism




Mental retardation

Percent


32

Criminal Justice System Involvement of Youth with Disabilities, by School-Completion Status

54

29

17

18

47

23

11

14

73

51

37

33

Been stopped bypolice

Been arrested

Spent the night injail

Been on probationor parole

Percent


**p < .01, ***p < .001comparing high school completers and noncompleters.Source: U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Research, National Longitudinal Transition Study-2 (NLTS2), Wave 3 parent interview and youth interview/survey, 2005.

***

***

***

**

Youth has ever:

33

Youth Ever Arrested, by Disability Category

6129

25

24

22

18

14

13

13

9

8

6



Learning disability



Mental retardation

Deaf-blindness


Hearing impairment

Visual impairment

Autism


Percent


34

Youth Risk Behaviors

35

Smoking Behavior of Youth with Disabilities, by School-Completion Status

67

11

22

72

10

16

44

19

40

Not at all

1 to 29 days

Every day

All youth with disabilities School completers Noncompleters**p < .01 comparing high school completers and noncompleters.Source: U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Research, National Longitudinal Transition Study-2 (NLTS2), Wave 3 youth interview/survey, 2005.

In the past 30 days reported smoking:

**

**Percent

36

Alcohol Consumption by Youth with Disabilities, by School-Completion Status

49

24

11

16

50

23

11

17

44

32

9

15

Not at all

1 or 2 days

3 to 5 days

6 or moredays

Percent


Source: U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Research, National Longitudinal Transition Study-2 (NLTS2), Wave 3 youth interview/survey, 2005.

In the past 30 days reported having at least one drink of alcohol:

37

Drug Use by Youth with Disabilities, by School-Completion Status

16

2

3

14

3

3

32

2

5

Marijuana

Cocaine

Other illegaldrug(s)


*p < 05 comparing high school completers and noncompleters.Source: U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Research, National Longitudinal Transition Study-2 (NLTS2), Wave 3 youth interview/survey, 2005.

In the past 30 days reported using:

*

38

Sexual Activities of Youth with Disabilities, by School-Completion Status

73

54

87

69

70

51

88

72

90

74

82

59

Has ever been sexually active

Had intercourse in the past 3months

Used any contraceptive during lastintercourse

Used a condom during lastintercourse

Percent


*p < .05 comparing high school completers and noncompleters.Source: U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Research, National Longitudinal Transition Study-2 (NLTS2), Wave 3 youth interview/survey, 2005.

*

*

*

39

Violence-Related Activities of Youth with Disabilities, by School-Completion Status

11

2

19

11

2

16

13

1

32

Carried aweapon in thepast 30 days

Belongs to agang

Got into aphysical fight

in the pastyear


Source: U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Research, National Longitudinal Transition Study-2 (NLTS2), Wave 3 youth interview/survey, 2005.

40

Youth Who Drank Alcohol in the Past 30 Days, by Disability Category

59

55

48

46

45

40

40

28

23

23

19


Learning disability

Visual impairment




Hearing impairment



Mental retardation

Autism

Percent

Note: There were too few youth with deaf-blindness to report separately.Source: U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Research, National Longitudinal Transition Study-2 (NLTS2), Wave 3 youth interview/survey, 2005.

41

Living Arrangements

and Family Formation

42

14

14

14All out-of-school

youth withdisabilities

Schoolcompleters

Noncompleters

Youth with Disabilities Have Ever Lived Independently Since High School,

by School-Completion Status

Note: Independently includes living alone or with a spouse or room mate.Source: U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Research, National Longitudinal Transition Study-2 (NLTS2), Wave 3 parent interview and youth interview/survey, 2005.

Percent

43

Has Ever Lived Independently Since High School, by Disability Category

2929

26

19

18

15

15

12

11

11

8

7

Deaf-blindness

Visual impairment

Hearing impairment

Mental retardation





Learning disability


Autism


PercentNote: Independently includes living alone or with a spouse or roommate.Source: U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Research, National Longitudinal Transition Study-2 (NLTS2), Wave 3 parent interview and youth interview/survey, 2005.

44

Marital Status and Family Formation of Youth with Disabilities, by School-Completion Status

83

6

11

1

12

84

7

9

1

8

78

6

14

2

24

Single/never married

Engaged

Married/in marriage-likerelationship

Divorced/separated/widowed

Has had or fathered a child

All youth with disabilities School completers Noncompleters*p < 05 comparing high school completers and noncompleters.Source: U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Research, National Longitudinal Transition Study-2 (NLTS2), Wave 3 parent interview and youth interview/survey, 2005.

*Percent

45

Has Ever Had or Fathered a Child, by Disability Category

17

17

15

11

10

7

6

6

6

4

1



Mental retardation

Learning disability


Hearing impairment

Visual impairment




Autism

Percent

Note: There were too few youth with deaf-blindness to report separately.Source: U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Research, National Longitudinal Transition Study-2 (NLTS2), Wave 3 parent interview and youth interview/survey, 2005.

46

For more information:

www.nlts2.org

Full Reports Fact Sheets & Data Briefs

Executive Summaries Data Tables

Documents

Four Years Out: Differences in Postschool Experiences of Youth With Disabilities Who Did and Did Not Complete High School Findings from the National Longitudinal