Postsecondary Education and Community Involvement: Annotated Bibliography

Postsecondary education is any education that occurs after high school. Postsecondary education includes trade school and vocational school as well as community colleges, four year institutions, and postgraduate institutions. Community involvement is what individuals do to be involved within their community. It can include participation in day programs, work and employment, participation in civics, and participation in other community activities. Postsecondary education and community involvement is a vital part of transition planning for students with disabilities. The Individual Transition Plan (ITP), found in the Individualized Education Program (IEP), requires for annual goals and objectives related to life after high school which should include postsecondary education, community involvement, or both. These goals and objectives should be focused on helping the student to prepare for postsecondary education and community involvement. The literature presented in this annotated bibliography states that students with disabilities are able to receive postsecondary education and be involved in the community similarly to their typically developing peers. It also suggests that students with disabilities may need more accommodations, modifications, supports, and services to participate in postsecondary education, community events, and employment. There seems to be evidence that career and technical education (CTE) classes and curriculum increase students with disabilities' participation in postsecondary education, community events, and employment.