One of the primary goals for students attending IPSE programs is authentic, competitive employment experiences, and research shows that students with some IPSE experience have better outcomes in securing employment. What has come into focus recently, is that just getting a job is not enough. It is becoming more important that students have access to industry recognized credentials through their IPSE programs so that they can get better jobs, with better pay. This Think College Insight Brief reviews the importance of industry recognized credentials for inclusive postsecondary education (IPSE) programs alongside findings from a study recently conducted by researchers at the University of South Carolina.
Walters, C., Stinnett, C., and Plotner, A. (2021). Industry Recognized Credentials in Inclusive Postsecondary Education Programs for Students with Intellectual Disability. Think College Insight Brief No. 51. Boston, MA: University of Massachusetts Boston, Institute for Community Inclusion.