The purpose of this study was to determine the teachers’ perception and the needs for developing a transition education model of students in physical and multiple disability schools. To meet the purpose, the specific objectives were (1 to identify t...
The purpose of this study was to determine the teachers’ perception and the needs for developing a transition education model of students in physical and multiple disability schools. To meet the purpose, the specific objectives were (1 to identify the disability characteristics of students and their transition types or patterns through schooling, (2) to measure both the needs and the actual implementation as perceived by teachers for transition education of students in physical and multiple disability schools, and ( 3 ) to determine the validity of a conceptual model for transition education of students with physical and multiple disabilities as perceived by teachers.
The subjects used for the study were 253 consisting of 15 class teachers in kindergartens, 112 class teachers in elementary schools, 65 class teachers in middle schools, and 61 class teachers in high schools for the physical and multiple disability. The researcher developed a questionnaire based on the review of literature and a pilot test. The questionnaire included questions about characteristics of individual respondent teacher, disability characteristics of disability students, transition types through schooling, needs for transition education of students with physical and multiple disabilities, current status of transition education provided by the physical and multiple disability school, and the validity of a conceptual model for transition education of students with physical and multiple disabilities. Using the mailed questionnaire developed by the researcher collected the data. The response rate was 87% but after the data screening, 173 responses were analyzed.
The results of the study were as follows;
First, the prevalent disabilities among students in physical and multiple disability schools were cerebral palsy with spasticity and quadriplegia. Their transitional types were clinic center, home, or child welfare center in transition from preschool to kindergarten, special school, child welfare center, or regular elementary school in transition from kindergarten to elementary school, and special school, clinic center, or welfare center in transitions from elementary school to middle school to high school. In transition from high school to post high school, most students participated in post-secondary education, vocational training center, employment, or protection institution.
Second, there was a wide gap between the needs and the actual provision by special school for transition education of students with physical and multiple disabilities. The needs of transition education for students in physical and multiple disability school were largely found in 11 items about planning and implementation, 19 educational contents, and 7 outcomes of the transition education. However, there was no difference among needs of transition education according the school level.
Finally, a systematic approach to develop a model for transition education of students with physical and multiple disabilities should be applied. In an ideal model for transition education, some steps and components such as analysis step, program planning and implementation step, outcome evaluation step, follow-up step, student and parent participation and decision-making component, and collaboration and support service component with the related institutions should be included.
Based upon the findings of this study, some recommendations were made for further research. First, a transitional type or path of students with physical disability should be examined on the regular basis. Second, an instrument to measure the transitional readiness or ability of students should be developed. Third, a proposed conceptual model for transition education of students with physical disabilities should be elaborated.