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- Title
Disability-Related Equity Gaps in Post-Secondary Education.
- Authors
Sprong, Matthew E.; Mamboleo, George; Fullmer, Lindsey; Green, Kathleen M.; Hollender, Heaven
- Abstract
Background: Graduation rates show that only 16.4% of students with disabilities (SWD) are likely to complete a bachelor's degree compared to 34% of students without disabilities (SWOD; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2015). The purpose of the current study was to explore disability-related equity gaps in a post-secondary educational institution to determine which general education courses may be difficult for students with disabilities. Methods: A disproportionate impact method was used to identify equity gaps among SWDs and SWODs enrolled in a post-secondary academic institution (dataset were grades collected by the University's Institutional Research Department as a part of Equity Gap Report). This process included identifying the outcome (i.e., final grade) and comparing the percentage earning an A, B, or C (70% or higher in the course) for SWDs with and SWODs. Findings: Students enrolled with the Disability Support Services (DSS) experienced equity gaps in several general education courses in comparison to students not enrolled. In some, chemistry, algebra, and introduction to psychology courses demonstrated the greatest equity gaps for students enrolled in DSS. Smaller equity gaps appeared in foundational biology and communication courses. Conclusions: Despite efforts to include SWDs in general education classrooms, the present study reveals that large gaps remain and contribute to inequitable outcomes for this population. The large achievement gap between students with and their peers without disabilities is an indication that these students still have limited access to the instruction that they need to succeed in school. It is likely that the persistence of the gap reflects a need for students with disabilities be accorded access to individualized instruction especially in the science related subjects.
- Subjects
UNITED States. Bureau of Labor Statistics; STUDENTS with disabilities; POSTSECONDARY education; EDUCATION of people with intellectual disabilities; RESEARCH departments; SERVICES for people with disabilities; BACHELOR'S degree; ACHIEVEMENT gap
- Publication
Rehabilitation Professional, 2024, Vol 32, Issue 1, p43
- ISSN
2328-6202
- Publication type
Article