Stories of Exceptional Students: The Transition to Postsecondary Education

Purpose of the Study:\ud \ud The number of students with disabilities participating in postsecondary education has steadily increased over the past decade. At some high schools, students with disabilities receive transition interventions beyond the college and career counseling offered to the general education students. Few studies have examined the outcome of transition planning or interventions, especially for those exceptional students who attend transfer or university-level college classes. This study will examine the self-reported transition experiences of current college students with disabilities.\ud \ud Procedure:\ud \ud This research study includes interviews with nine students with disabilities enrolled at Sonoma State University. Interview questions examine academic strategies, life-skills supports, transition interventions, and other factors that lead to successful outcomes for these exceptional students. The content of the interviews clarifies emerging themes related to students??? perspectives as fully-included participants within the postsecondary environment. \ud \ud Findings and Conclusions:\ud \ud Major emerging themes included the development of improved skills to ensure full participation in the postsecondary environment, and the availability of helpful individuals during and beyond transition. Unanticipated themes included career planning and the importance of choice during the educational process. There appears to be an unfilled need for early transition planning for college-bound students with disabilities, which is difficult to fulfill for high school guidance counselors or case managers due to workload requirements