Predictors of Educational Outcomes among Undergraduate Students with Disabilities

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to identify factors associated with academic outcomes among undergraduate students with disabilities. Factors examined included student characteristics (i.e., demographic characteristics and disability status), academic experiences (i.e., major and enrollment pattern), and services provided by the Office of Disability Services (i.e., accommodations provided and length of support). Academic outcomes included graduation (both at all and within six years of admission) and final grade point average.MethodsA retrospective cohort study design was used to examine academic performance among a split-half, random sample of 233 students who enrolled into the Ohio State University Office of Disability Services (ODS) from 7/1/2003 to 6/30/2005. ODS staff compiled a de-identified data set from administrative and academic records for these 233 students from their date of admission into OSU through June 2012, the end of the quarter academic calendar at OSU, and provided these data to the author for analysis. This study was reviewed and approved by the OSU Behavioral and Social Sciences Institutional Review Board (Protocol #2012B0425).Univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analytic techniques were used to analyze these data, including: ranges, frequencies, means and standard deviations to describe the sample; chi-square, t-test, and ANOVA to identify bivariate correlates of academic performance; and, binomial logistic regression and ordinary least squares linear regression to identify multivariate predictors of academic performance.ResultsA majority, 74.2%, of the sample graduated from OSU, and of those that graduated, 91.3% earned their degree within six years. Minority students and students with a higher grade point average at intake were more likely to graduate. Older students and students enrolled part-time were less likely to graduate or graduate within six years. Students who registered for accommodations during their freshmen year were more likely to graduate within six years. Students majoring in Arts and Sciences graduated with lower final grade point averages than other students. Additionally, students with higher grade point averages at intake were more likely to display higher grade point averages at graduation.DiscussionThe results of this study demonstrated similar outcomes to past research while illustrating some improvements for students with disabilities. The majority of students graduated and earned their degrees within six years. The performance of students with disabilities in relation to accommodation use needs to be further researched due to inconsistent findings. University administrators and Disability Services program directors and staff seeking to enhance academic performance among undergraduate students with disabilities are advised to enroll students during their first year, and to target risk groups, including non-traditional and part-time students, those majoring in Arts and Sciences and those with low initial grade point averages.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Social Work

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Social Work

Grantor dc:publisher

The Ohio State University

Year dc:date

2013

Author dc:creator

• Ruderman, Danielle Eve

Contributors dc:contributor

• Mares, Alvin

• Social Work
• disability services
• accommodations
• higher education
• student retention
• student achievement
• learning disabilities

Statement dc:rights

• unrestricted
• This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: all rights reserved. It may not be copied or redistributed beyond the terms of applicable copyright laws.

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1364573503

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:etd.ohiolink.edu:osu1364573503