A dissertation completed at The Center for Education, Widener University, One University Place, Chester, PA 19013
Was Special Education Worth It?: Perceptions Of Former Students Who Were Classified As Having A Disability Dion E. Betts, Ed. D. February 2002
RETURN edited 7/19/02

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceptions regarding the lasting effects of special education on the lives of former students who were classified as having a disability. Large-scale national data regarding in-school outcomes of students with disabilities is unavailable. Studies show that former students who were classified as having a disability have great difficulty gaining independent living arrangements and finding satisfactory employment. In addition, a careful review of the professional literature reveals that there is no consensus among experts regarding either the means or ends of special education.

This investigation attempts to determine to what degree special education helped or harmed students and what works and what does not work in special education practice. To investigate students' perceptions, this study used a qualitative methodology for data collection and reporting. Convenience sampling was used to select former students with learning disabilities, emotional disturbances, or mental retardation for interviews. Of these candidates, two respondents were selected for individual in-depth interviews. Fifteen respondents were selected for in-depth group interviews.

To obtain additional information, interviews were also conducted with the teachers (and in one instance, a parent) of the in-depth interviewees. Demographic information was collected for each of the former students. Interview questions were taken with adaptations from the Lovitt, Plavins, and Cushing (1999) study. That qualitative research study investigated the perceptions ofstudents with disabilities in a regular high school. The questions in that study follow many major themes found in the literature review.

Former students value the special education programs they received. Most believe that without special education, they would not have graduated from high school. In addition, special education teachers were seen as caring. Respondents suggest that the lasting effects of specia leducation include feeling embarrassed about having been involved in such programs. They also believe that they gained a great deal of self confidence with the help of their special education teachers and this helps them in their current lives.

Further large-scale research is needed regarding the perceptions of students with disabilities and their special education programs. In addition, important resource allocation decisions need to be made in addition to the establishment of a consensus relating to the goals of special education. Only then can educators judge the effectiveness of special education programs on the lives of students with disabilities after graduation.



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