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 onYouth, ages 13 to 16 at start of study Study began2000–2001 school year Generalizes toAll disability categories, each age cohort Longitudinal 10 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 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, 2005 Responses 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, Did not complete high school Completed high school 20% 80%

6 School Completion Rate, by Disability Category 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.

7 High School Equivalency Diploma or Certificate Programs

8 Participation in High School Equivalency Diploma or Certificate Programs by Youth With Disabilities Who Left High School Without Finishing 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.

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

10 Postsecondary Education

11 Enrollment in Postsecondary Education Since Leaving High School *** p = <.001 comparing youth with disabilities in 2005 and those in the general population in 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 ***

12 Postsecondary Education Enrollment by Youth With Disabilities and in the General Population at the Time of Interview *** 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 ***

13 Postsecondary School Enrollment Since Leaving High School of Youth with Disabilities, by High School Leaving Status ***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, ***

14 Postsecondary School Enrollment Since Leaving High School, by Disability Category 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.

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, Percent *

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

20 Employment of Youth With Disabilities, by School Completion Status 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 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.

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

23 Wages of Youth With Disabilities Out of High School 1 to 4 Years, by School-Completion Status 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, Percentage of youth earning hourly wage of: Percent

24 Job Accommodations for Youth With Disabilities Out of High School 1 to 4 Years, by School-Completion Status 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, Percentage of youth who report: Percent

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

28 Engagement of Youth With Disabilities in Employment or Postsecondary Education Since Leaving High School, by Disability Category 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 *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, *** * ** Youth is: *** In the past 12 months:

31 Participation in Community-Based Organized Group Activities in the Past 12 Months, by Disability Category 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.

32 Criminal Justice System Involvement of Youth with Disabilities, by School-Completion Status **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, *** ** Youth has ever:

33 Youth Ever Arrested, by Disability Category 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.

34 Youth Risk Behaviors

35 Smoking Behavior of Youth with Disabilities, by School-Completion Status **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, In the past 30 days reported smoking: ** Percent

36 Alcohol Consumption by Youth with Disabilities, by School-Completion Status 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, In the past 30 days reported having at least one drink of alcohol:

37 Drug Use by Youth with Disabilities, by School-Completion Status *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, In the past 30 days reported using: *

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

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

43 Has Ever Lived Independently Since High School, by Disability Category Note: 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 *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, * Percent

45 Has Ever Had or Fathered a Child, by Disability Category 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.

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