Abstract
This paper describes an innovative approach to preparing high school students with mild disabilities for challenging careers in high tech industries, called High School High Tech (HSHT). Iowa's HSHT Goes to College program has three central elements, each of which is discussed in this paper: High School Preparation—assisting students in identifying a suitable high tech career goal; Higher Education Preparation and Supports—assisting students in selecting college/training programs that match their career goal, and in successfully completing their postsecondary programs; Workforce Entry Assistance—linking students with employers and launching their high tech careers. The paper concludes with a presentation of outcomes to date and recommendations for program enhancements. The information presented here is intended to assist education and rehabilitation professionals interested in establishing similar efforts across the nation.
Similar content being viewed by others
REFERENCES
Blackorby, J., and Wagner, M. (1996). Longitudinal outcomes of youth with disabilities: Findings from the National Longitudinal Transition Study. Except. Child. 62(5): 399–413.
Gugerty, J., Tindall, L., Weis, C., Phelps, B. R., and Dhuey, S. (eds.) (1996). A Guidebook for Serving Students With Disabilities in Tech Prep, Center on Education and Work, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI.
Nietupski, J., McQuillen, T., Duncan Berg, D., Daugherty, V., and Hamre-Nietupski, S. (2001). Preparing students with mild disabilities for careers in technology: A process and recommendations from Iowa's High School High Tech program. J. Vocat. Rehabil. 16: 1–9.
Phelps, L. A., and Hanley-Maxwell, C. (1996). School-to-work transitions: A review of outcomes and practices. In Gugerty, J., Tindall, L., Weis, C., Phelps, B. R., and Dhuey, S. (eds.), A Guidebook for Serving Students With Disabilities in Tech Prep, Center on Education and Work, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI.
Wagner, M., Blackorby, J., Cameto, R., and Newman, L. (1993). What Makes a Difference? Influences on Post-School Outcomes of Youth With Disabilities, SRI Intl. Menlo Park, CA.
Wilson, K., Getzel, E., and Brown, T. (2000). Enhancing postsecondary campus climate for students with disabilities. J. Vocat. Rehabil. 14(1): 37–50.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Nietupski, J., McQuillen, T., Berg, D.D. et al. Iowa's High School High Tech Goes to College Program: Preparing Students with Mild Disabilities for Careers in Technology. Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities 16, 179–192 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:JODD.0000026615.65280.aa
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:JODD.0000026615.65280.aa