A FIELD STUDY TO DETERMINE EMPLOYERS\u27 LEVELS OF SATISFACTION WITH THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED STUDENTS ENROLLED IN THE OMAHA PUBLIC SCHOOLS\u27 WORK EXPERIENCE PROGRAM

Purpose. This study measured employers\u27 satisfaction with mentally handicapped students participating in Omaha, Nebraska\u27s public schools\u27 work experience program from 1976 through 1981. Instrument. An eighty-six item Likert scale questionnaire was sent to 100 randomly selected employers. Jobs were classified as food or nonfood service. Findings. Major findings revealed employers were most satisfied with students\u27 conduct in the areas of: (1) grooming and hygiene, (2) behavior on the job, (3) keeping track of time, (4) responsibility to employers, and (5) recognizing position of employer. Employers were least satisfied with students in the areas of understanding: (1) job search practice, (2) interviewing techniques, (3) company benefits, (4) salary schedule, and (5) abilities and limitations. Conclusions. The study concludes that employers were generally satisfied with students. Food service employers were more satisfied than those in nonfood service, and they were generally more satisfied with boys than girls. Recommendations. Study recommendations included: (1) The Omaha school district should implement and evaluate a course for handicapped students prior to their on-site work experience that concentrated on areas of weakness identified by employers in this study. (2) A program for continuing evaluation of the program should be initiated