Type of Document Dissertation Author Steenken, Elisabeth MacClarence URN etd-12052000-164006 Title Having a Learning Disability: Its Effect on the Academic Decisions of College Students Degree PhD Department Teaching and Learning Advisory Committee
Advisor Name Title Asselin, Susan B. Committee Chair Crockett, Jean B. Committee Member Magliaro, Susan G. Committee Member Nespor, Jan K. Committee Member Reilly, Virginia J. Committee Member Keywords
- College Students
- Transition Planning
- Special Education
- Learning Disabilities
Date of Defense 2000-11-27 Availability unrestricted AbstractHAVING A LEARNING DISABILITY: ITS EFFECT ON THE ACADEMIC DECISIONS OF COLLEGE STUDENTS
The purpose of this research was to explore how college students with learning disabilities perceived that their family environments and early educational experiences influenced their decisions in college. An additional goal of this study was to explore how these students understood their learning disability diagnosis and how that understanding affected their academic choices.
Participants had documented learning disabilities and used support services during the time of their enrollment at the university. All were students in good standing and had attended the university for at least three years. A qualitative method using unstructured, personal interviews was used. Interviews were analyzed according to broad themes reflecting the research issues. The study is organized according to the chronology of events in the students' lives and reflects their experiences before they attended the university and during the time they were enrolled.
The results of this study generally support research of college graduates with learning disabilities which indicates that early and continued personal support, accepting and understanding a learning disability, adequate academic preparation and personal characteristics of persistence, goal setting and extra effort are important components to academic success. This study's results also underscore the importance of transition planning that incorporates students' interests and skills when determining the best match for higher education settings. Implications for further research are included.
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