Chapter 33: Transition to Postsecondary Education: Working with Students with Disabilities

In the 21^st century global economy, postsecondary education provides individuals with higher employment rates (Krolik, 2004; Prince & Jenkins, 2005) and economic advantages (Grubb, 2002; Marcotte, Bailey, Borkoski, & Kienzl, 2005) than in previous time periods within the United States. The National Center for Education Statistics (National Center for Education Statistics, NCES, 2008) defines postsecondary education as: “The provision of a formal instructional program whose curriculum is designed primarily for students who are beyond the compulsory age for high school. This includes programs whose purpose is academic, vocational, and continuing professional education, and excludes avocational and adult basic education programs.” This chapter specifically addresses students’ transition to both community college and college/university settings.