Johnson, David

This issue of Impact, by the Institute on Community Integration at the University of Minnesota, highlights critical areas of need for inclusive higher education. Accreditation holds promise for ensuring the quality experience that students and their families seek. Opening inclusive programs to a wider cross section of students is also important, as is making sure programs are truly inclusive, offering coursework that leads to competitive employment.

Between 2010-2020, more than 4,000 students with intellectual disability have taken over 50,000 courses while enrolled in colleges and universities hosting TPSID programs (Transition and Postsecondary Education Programs for Students with Intellectual Disability). In this article, the authors discuss steps the field of inclusive postsecondary education can take to ensure equitable access to higher education for more students with intellectual disability. 

The purpose of this paper is to propose and describe a model for engaging and retaining students with IDD/autism in Minnesota's 24 community and technical colleges and seven state universities (MnSCU). The model, as described in this paper, is based upon past and current efforts to provide postsecondary education opportunities for these students. The paper, first, provides background to clarify the diverse characteristics and outcomes of students with IDD/autism. It then examines the relevance and critical importance of drawing upon MnSCU’s system capacity to serve these students.

This article details the methods and results of a study that sought to identify predictors associated with paid employment outcomes for community and technical college students with intellectual disability (ID). Data used were collected from the Transition and Postsecondary Programs for Students With Intellectual Disabilities (TPSID) implemented in two community and technical colleges in the upper Midwest. The participants included 228 students with ID attending college who received supports based on the Check & Connect model.

This article highlights the importance of postsecondary education for young adults with disabilities. It notes the increasing demand for postsecondary qualifications in growing career fields and the earnings gap among education levels. Additionally, this article discusses the importance of not only access to postsecondary education for students with disabilities, but also persistence and program completion. 

Article includes sidebar, Postsecondary Education: A National Priority.

The transition challenges discussed are to ensure that (1) students have access to the full range of curriculum options and learning experiences; (2) high school graduation decisions are based on meaningful indicators of learning; (3) students have access to postsecondary education, employment, and independent living options; (4) student and family participation are supported; and (5) interagency collaboration is improved.