Parker, David

This book chapter presents an overview of dual enrollment, an inclusive postsecondary education option for students with intellectual disabilities. The chapter begins with a definition of intellectual disability and a discussion of post school outcomes for students with disabilities. The chapter summarizes the results of a national survey of post-secondary educational options for youth with intellectual disabilities, and briefly describes the characteristics of three program models: substantially separate, mixed, and inclusive individual support.

Traditionally, youth with intellectual and developmental disabiliites (IDD) have not been given the option of participating in and thus benefiting from a postsecondary education. There are school districts and community colleges across the country, however, that are creating opportunities for these youth to have the option of meaningful participation in a postsecondary education while still in secondary school (i.e., Dual Enrollment).