The Repository @ St. Cloud State

Open Access Knowledge and Scholarship

Date of Award

8-2024

Culminating Project Type

Thesis

Styleguide

apa

Degree Name

Special Education: M.S.

Department

Special Education

College

School of Education

First Advisor

Brian Valentini

Second Advisor

Bradley Kaffer

Third Advisor

Amy Christensen

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.

Keywords and Subject Headings

independent living skills, postsecondary education, intellectual disabilities

Abstract

In a push for inclusion, many postsecondary institutions are looking toward programming that better supports those with disabilities. This includes the addition of programs that teach independent living skills. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act highlighted the importance of transition planning which included looking at independent living skills starting at age 16 (IDEA, 2004). Then in 2008, the Higher Education Opportunity Act reauthorization encouraged a look at life after high school with an emphasis on postsecondary education. Since 2017, we have seen a large increase in the research surrounding inclusive postsecondary programs (Whirley et al., 2020). This study also highlighted the inconsistency in these programs.

The purpose of this study was to start a discussion around these programs. A survey was sent to 310 program directors (found through the Think College database) to find what skills are consistently being taught in these programs as well as what skills may need more focus. Also, it was designed to measure the attitudes of the program directors themselves on their perspective of their program as well as their knowledge in the field. Results indicated a disconnect between programs with no set curriculum used across programs. Independent living skills taught also varied from program to program. Programs also varied in their access to additional resources including driver’s education, full kitchen access and washer/dryer access. Program directors showed confidence in their ability to understand and teach independent living skills as they are defined in research.

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