Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research and Service

This study was part of the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) General Supervision Grant generated in response to Connecticut’s Continuous Improvement Monitoring Process and was designed to fill two important gaps in data sources as to the effectiveness of current transition programs and services in the state. The purpose of the study was to gather information on post-school outcomes for students with disabilities who had exited the special education system.

• A survey was sent to students with disabilities two years after they exited special education in the state of Connecticut to gather information on their living arrangements, community participation, employment, and postsecondary education.
• Analyses were conducted that looked at various respondent characteristics (race/ethnicity, type of disability, reason for exit, and gender) in relation to employment, living arrangements, community participation, etc.
• Data was also compared to a previous study conducted by Bruder and Gaynor (2002).
• A data report was completed and disseminated.