Secondary Special Education Programs in Alabama: A Statewide Examination.

Overview & Synopsis

This study documents the needs of Alabama's secondary educational programs and services for youth with disabilities. A short history of secondary school programs for youth with disabilities introduces the study. Areas examined are: curriculum and instruction, vocational/occupational opportunities, vocational education, independent living, transition, interagency participation, program improvement, and post-school considerations. Data were collected from a survey of 79 special education coordinators and 302 secondary special education teachers. Findings are presented in 37 tables with accompanying figures. Highlights of the findings include: (1) over 42 percent of the special education teachers reported that only they provided instruction in the curriculum areas of remedial academics and functional academics; (2) only about 20 percent of teachers reported that their students were instructed in community work sites and in-school work sites; (3) the local education agency (LEA) was felt to be most responsible for providing students with instruction in home living skills, community living skills, leisure/recreational skills, and personal/social skills; and (4) Adult Rehabilitation Services was reported by special education coordinators as the one agency, other than the LEA, from which students received the most services. (Some chapters contain references.) (JDD)