ERIC Number: EJ1227159
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2012-Aug
Pages: 12
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-2165-1434
EISSN: N/A
Quality Learning Experiences, Self-Determination, and Academic Success: A Path Analytic Study among Youth with Disabilities
Solberg, V. Scott; Howard, Kimberly; Gresham, Stephen; Carter, Erik
Career Development and Transition for Exceptional Individuals, v35 n2 p85-96 Aug 2012
Although fostering self-determination has emerged as a central element of recommended and evidence-based transition practices for adolescents with disabilities, few studies have examined the paths through which students develop the skills and dispositions that can enhance their self-determination and successful transitions. The authors used path analyses to examine the ways in which exposure to quality secondary learning environments contributed to the development of self-efficacy, motivation, and academic achievement among 135 high school students receiving special education services. Students with disabilities who reported having greater involvement in learning environments reflecting recommended transition practices (i.e., high-quality learning environments) demonstrated increased career-search self-efficacy. Students with greater career-search self-efficacy were more highly engaged in goal setting, which further predicted their motivation to attend school and academic self-efficacy. Finally, students with higher academic self-efficacy were found to have higher grades. The authors offer recommendations for enhancing the self-determination skills and opportunities of youth with disabilities by strengthening the quality and impact of transition education.
Descriptors: Learning Experience, Self Determination, Academic Achievement, Students with Disabilities, High School Students, Self Efficacy, Student Motivation, Educational Environment, Educational Quality, Goal Orientation, Career Choice, Well Being
SAGE Publications and Hammill Institute on Disabilities. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: http://sagepub.com
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: High Schools; Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: Office of Disability Employment Policy (DOL)
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Washington; South Carolina; New Mexico; Louisiana
Grant or Contract Numbers: OD165190775411