This dissertation is an exploratory study on self-determination in students with disabilities in a postsecondary environment. Two questions were asked on self-determination levels in higher education students with disabilities and vital self-advocacy skills in higher education. A survey with closed-ended and open-ended questions was administered…

The highest degree awarded by the community college has generally been the associate in arts or the associate in science degree (Cohen & Brawer, 2008); however, an increasing number of community colleges have expanded their missions to award baccalaureate degrees (Levin, 2004; Russell, 2010; Walker, 2005). Although some community colleges have…

For typically developing adolescents, Piaget (1932/1965), Kohlberg (1971), Vygotsky (1935/2011), and Erikson (1964) described key transitions as having happened naturally as the child aged. In adolescents with visual impairments, key transitions are often reached much later than are developmentally appropriate due to the lack of specific…

Research across the board has focused predominately on postsecondary transition services as they occur, after students with disabilities have left high school and entered the postsecondary realm of education. There has yet to be a study to address the feasibility of combining the important early intervention strategies necessary for success within…

The purpose of this research study was to explore how incoming first year students develop their academic performance expectations, differences between students in the development of academic performance expectations, and lastly the role of the university has in communicating expectations to students. The researcher utilized case study research to…

The purpose of this qualitative research study is to understand the perceptions of middle school special education teachers in relation to post-secondary transition. The middle school teachers used for this project all teach grades five thru eight and come from six different middle schools located in one school district. Each school has a diverse…

Community college transfer students often experience "transfer shock" at receiving four-year institutions, which includes a variety of academic, social, and institutional challenges associated with the first-year transfer experience. Research has demonstrated that first-year program interventions can facilitate the transition of…

A well-designed, academically-centered, transitional program can narrow the college readiness gap and provide essential tools for underprepared students to be successful. The Summer Bridge Program offered innovative solutions for academic preparedness using a cohort model and many 21 st century student success strategies. The free five-week…

Youth with developmental disabilities are over-represented in juvenile detention facilities when compared to juveniles without disabilities. In fact, juveniles with disabilities are four times more likely to be found in detention centers as they are to be found in public school settings (Griller Clark et al., 2011; Quinn et al., 2005). Recent…

A low rate of successful transition and degree completion for community college (CC) students who intend to complete a baccalaureate through transfer to a four-year university has been an unresolved problem in higher education. With more students entering higher education through CCs, successful CC to university transitions have become a critical…

This study focused on young women's perceptions of the factors that influenced their lack of success in traditional high school settings and the factors that led them to enroll and complete the alternative program, Gateway to College. The Gateway to College program is a coeducational program, but this study l focused solely on young women who…

This dissertation study employs an exploratory sequential mixed methods design to investigate how emerging adults with psychiatric disabilities plan for and transition to and through college. Special attention is paid to how disclosure of disability status in educational contexts can influence both educational and recovery outcomes. Though more…

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the experience students have reentering high school following psychiatric hospitalization, and within programming designed to assist with this transition. To accomplish this goal, two research questions were formulated to guide this study: What is the experience of re-entering high school, for…

The purpose of this ethnographic case study was to help identify some of the impacts that school-based mentoring programs can have on African American middle school males, as well as student perceptions of mentoring and its impact. The study also sought to contribute to the literature addressing how consistent, successful mentoring can serve as a…

Special education teachers are mandated to implement supports and services for students with an intellectual disability so that they can successfully transition into the adult world. However, special education teachers often have difficulty focusing on teaching the necessary transition skills for success due to balancing other curricular demands.…