An inquiry regarding the state-of-the-art of work-study programs for handicapped students in secondary schools

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify the state of the art of work-study programs for handicapped students in secondary schools. The study was limited to work-study programs administered and supervised by special education personnel. The information gathered in this study during the 1982-83 school year was obtained from three groups: (a) 503 Vocational Adjustment Coordinators (work-study coordinators) in Texas, (b) a sub-sample of 20 Vocational Adjustment Coordinators (VACs) in Texas, who were interviewed during on-site visits, and (c) state education agencies outside Texas. Sixty-three percent (316) of the VACs responded to the survey instrument mailed to them; 33% (16) of the state education agencies returned the questionnaire sent to them. Three instruments were developed: (a) a VAC Survey, designed to gather information about the work-study program in Texas, (b) a semi-structured On-Site Visit Interview, designed to gather more in-depth information from VACs, and (c) a State Education Agency Survey, designed to collect information about programs in states other than Texas. The reliability of the VAC Survey was analyzed using a test-retest methodology. The results of the study indicate that a wide variety of work-study programs exist. Program policies vary within the state of Texas, as well as outside Texas. Work-study coordinators perform a variety of duties, generally, with training only in special education. The results of this study also indicate that few of the responding states have (1) written policies and procedures for the program, (2) written roles and responsibilities for work-study coordinators, or (3) have developed uniform forms for use in administering the program. In order to facilitate the development of written policies and procedures and other necessary components of a work-study program, a model work-study program was developed based on the data collected in this study and the review of literature.