ERIC Number: ED653804
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2024
Pages: 141
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: 979-8-3823-3110-2
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Employment Training for Graduating Seniors Who Have an Intellectual Disability
Miriam J. Bohles
ProQuest LLC, Ed.D. Dissertation, Walden University
The problem that was addressed in this study was that local high school students with intellectual disabilities exit their high school community-based vocational program without sufficient skills required to attain meaningful employment. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to examine local high school educators' perceptions about the instruction of employability skills in the community-based vocational program and the additional instruction needed to enhance students' ability to attain meaningful employment. The conceptual framework was based on Kolb's experiential learning theory. The research questions focused on skills educators need to incorporate in a community-based vocational program curriculum. Data were obtained via Zoom interviews with ten high school special educators. Open coding was used to code the raw data. The themes - program structure, employment success, community experiences, active learning, impact future, and collaboration - were related to special educators' perceptions of employability skills that are needed in a high school community-based vocational program and the additional instruction needed to enhance students' ability to attain meaningful employment after graduation. The results of the study indicated that special educators are familiar with the concepts of customized employment strategies but have not received adequate training to use strategies of customized employment in community based vocational programs. Therefore, to prepare special education teachers to be successful with the implementation of customized employment strategies, educators require appropriate training. This study may impact social change by updating curriculums and instructional strategies and creating more effective engagement in employment opportunities for students with intellectual disabilities. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
Descriptors: High School Seniors, Intellectual Disability, Post High School Guidance, High School Teachers, Teacher Attitudes, Employment Potential, Students with Disabilities, Teaching Skills, Community Based Instruction (Disabilities), Vocational Education Teachers, Active Learning, Cooperation, Program Design
ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway, P.O. Box 1346, Ann Arbor, MI 48106. Tel: 800-521-0600; Web site: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml
Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: High Schools; Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A