Abstract
Non-academic skills are as important as academic skills for the employment and postsecondary education of individuals with disabilities. Due to less than half of individuals with disabilities gaining employment, and the fact that the majority of students with disabilities do not graduate from postsecondary education due to non-academic skills, educators needed a method to assess and identify the non-academic skills students have and need to learn. The Transition Assessment and Goal Generator (TAGG) is an easy-to-use transition assessment instrument based on research-identified non-academic behaviors and experiences associated with post-school employment and further education. TAGG assesses (1) strengths and limitations, (2) disability awareness, (3) student involvement in the IEP, (4) goal setting and attainment, (5) persistence (6) interacting with others, (7) employment, and (8) support community (McConnell et al. 2012). TAGG has more validity evidence supporting its use than most other transition assessments.
Keywords
- Transition assessment
- Non-academic skills
- Validity
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsReferences
AERA et al. (American Educational Research Association, American Psychological Association, & National Council on Measurement in Education) (2014) Standards for educational and psychological testing. American Educational Research Association, Washington, DC
Aune E (1991) A transitional model for postsecondary-bound students with learning disabilities. Learn Disabil Res Pract 6:177–187
Baer RM, Daviso AW, Flexer RW, Queen RM, Meindl RS (2011) Students with intellectual disabilities: predictors of transition outcomes. Career Dev Transit Except Individ 34:132–141
Benz MR, Lindstrom L, Yovanoff P (2000) Improving graduation and employment outcomes of students with disabilities: predictive factors and student perspectives. Except Child 66:509–529
Bridgeland JM, Dilulio JJ, Morison KB (2006) The silent epidemic: Perspective of high school dropouts. A report by Civic Enterprises in association with Peter D. Hart Research Associates for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Retrieved from https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED513444.pdf
Burnes JJ, Martin JE, Terry R, McConnell AE, Hennessey MN (2018) Predicting postsecondary education and employment outcomes using results from the Transition Assessment and Goal Generator (TAGG). Career Dev Transit Except Individ 41:111–121. https://doi.org/10.1177/2165143417705353
Cantley P, Little K, Martin JE (2010) ME! lessons for teaching self-awareness and self-advocacy. Retrieved from http://www.ou.edu/content/education/centers-and-partnerships/zarrow/trasition-education-materials/me-lessons-for-teaching-self-awareness-and-self-advocacy.html
Doren B, Benz MR (1998) Employment inequality revisited: Predictors of better employment outcomes for young women with disabilities in transition. J Spec Educ 31:425–442
Dunn C, Shumaker L (1997) A follow-up study of former special education students from a rural and urban county school system. Career Dev Except Individ 20:43–54
Fabian ES (2007) Urban youth with disabilities: factors affecting transition employment. Rehabil Couns Bullet 50:130–138
Fabian ES, Lent RW, Willis SP (1998) Predicting work transition outcomes for students with disabilities: Implications for counselors. J Couns Dev 76:311–316
Flexer RW, Baer RM, Luft P, Simmons TJ (2013) Transition planning for secondary students with disabilities. Pearson, New York, NY
Fourqurean J, Meisgeier C, Swank P, Williams R (1991) Correlates of postsecondary employment outcomes for young adults with learning disabilities. J Learn Disabil 24:400–405
Gerber PJ, Ginsberg R, Reiff H (1992) Identifying alterable patterns in employment success for highly successful adults with learning disabilities. J Learn Disabil 25:475–487
Gerber PJ, Prince L, Mulligan R, Shessel I (2004) Beyond transition: a comparison of the employment experiences of American and Canadian adults with LD. J Learn Disabil 37:283–291
Goldberg RJ, Higgins EL, Raskind MH, Herman KL (2003) Predictors of success in individuals with learning disabilities: a qualitative analysis of a 20-year longitudinal study. Learn Disabil Res Pract 18:222–236
Greenbaum B, Graham S, Scales W (1995) Adults with learning disabilities: educational and social experiences during college. Except Child 61:460–471
Halpern AS, Yovanoff P, Doren B, Benz MR (1995) Predicting participation in postsecondary education for school leavers with disabilities. Except Child 62:151–164
Heal LW, Rusch FR (1995) Predicting employment for students who leave special education high school programs. Except Child 61:472–487
Hennessey M, Terry R, Martin J, McConnell A, Willis D (2018) Factor structure and basic psychometric properties of the Transition Assessment and Goal Generator (TAGG). Career Development and Transition for Exceptional Individuals 41:99–110. https://doi.org/10.1177/2165143417691021
Higgins EL, Raskind MH, Goldberg RJ, Herman KL (2002) Stages of acceptance of a learning disability: the impact of labeling. Learn Disab Q 25:3–18
Inglish P (2014) Top 10 reasons 21st century employees get fired. Retrieved from http://pattyinglishms.hubpages.com/hub/Fired
Juan C (2008) The transition success assessment: Determining social validity and reliability. Unpublished doctoral dissertation. University of Oklahoma, Norman
Kamenetz A (2015) Nonacademic skills are key to success. But what should we call them? [Web log post]. Retrieved from https://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2015/05/28/404684712/non-academic-skills-are-key-to-success-but-what-should-we-call-them
Landmark LJ, Zhang D (2013) Compliance and practices in transition planning: a review of individualized education program documents. Remed Spec Education 34:113–125
Leonard R, D’Allura T, Horowitz A (1999) Factors associated with employment among persons who have a vision impairment: a follow-up of vocational placement referrals. J Vocat Rehabil 12:33–43
Liebert D, Lutsky L, Gottlieb A (1990) Postsecondary experiences of young adults with severe physical disabilities. Except Child 57:56–63
Lindstrom L, Doren B, Miesch J (2011) Waging a living: career development and long-term employment outcomes for young adults with disabilities. Except Child 77:423–434
Lingo ME, Williams-Diehm KL, Martin JE, McConnell AE (2018) Teaching transition self-determination knowledge and skills using the ME! bell ringers. Career Dev Transit Except Individ 41:185–189. https://doi.org/10.1177/216514317753582
Madaus JW (2006) Improving the transition to career for college students with learning disabilities: Suggestions from graduates. J Postsecond Educ Disab 19:85–93
Martin J, Hennessey M, McConnell A, Terry R, Willis D (2015) Transition assessment and goal generator (TAGG). Retrieved from https://tagg.ou.edu/tagg/
Martin J, Hennessey M, McConnell A, Terry R, Willis D (2015b) TAGG technical manual. Retrieved from https://tagg.ou.edu/tagg/
Martin JE, Marshall LE (1995) ChoiceMaker self-determination curriculum. Sopris West, Longmont, CO
Martin JE, Marshall LH, Maxson LM, Jerman PL (1996) The self-directed IEP. Retrieved from http://www.ou.edu/education/centers-and-partnerships/zarrow/choicemaker-curriculum/choicemaker-self-determination-materials
Mazzotti VL, Rowe DA, Kelley KR, Test DW, Fowler CH, Kohler PD, Kortering LJ (2009) Linking transition assessment and postsecondary goals: key elements in the secondary transition planning process. Teach Except Child 42:44–51
McConnell AE, Deardorff ME (2017) Tying the knot. Retrieved from http://www.ou.edu/content/dam/Education/zarrow/Tying%20the%20Knot%20Final.pdf
McConnell AE, Martin JE, Hennessey MN (2015) Indicators of postsecondary employment and education for youth with disabilities in relation to GPA and general education. Remed Spec Educ 36:327–336. https://doi.org/10.1177/0741932515583497
McConnell AE, Martin JE, Herron JP, Hennessey MN (2017) The influence of gender on non-academic skills associated with post-school employment and further education. Career Dev Trans Except Individ 40:165–174. https://doi.org/10.1177/2165143416629629
McConnell AE, Martin JE, Juan CY, Hennessey MN, Terry R, El-Kazimi N, Pannells TC, Willis D (2013) Identifying nonacademic behaviors associated with post-school employment and education. Career Dev Transit Except Individ 36:174–187. https://doi.org/10.1177/2165143412468147
McDonnall MC, Crudden A (2009) Factors affecting the successful employment of transition-age youths with visual impairments. J Vis Impair Blind 103:329
McNulty MA (2003) Dyslexia and the life course. J Learn Disabil 36:363–381
Murray C, Goldstein DE, Nourse S, Edgar E (2000) The postsecondary school attendance and completion rates of high school graduates with learning disabilities. Learn Disabil Res Pract 15:119–127
Prince AM, Plotner AJ, Yell ML (2014) Postsecondary transition and the courts: an update. J Disab Policy Stud 25:41–47
Raskind M, Goldberg R, Higgins E, Herman K (1999) Patterns of change and predictors of success in individuals with learning disabilities: results from a twenty-year longitudinal study. Learn Disabil Res Pract 14:35–49
Raskind M, Goldberg R, Higgins E, Herman K (2002) Teaching “life success” to students with LD: lessons learned from a 20-year study. Intervent School Clin 37:201–208
Rowe DA, Mazzotti VL, Hirano K, Alverson CY (2015) Assessing transition skills in the 21st century. Teach Except Child 47:301–309
Sarver MD (2000) A study of the relationship between personal and environmental factors bearing on self-determination and the academic success of university students with learning disabilities. Doctoral dissertation. University of Florida, Gainesville, FL. UMI Number: 9984478
Schafer W, Wang J, Wang V (2009) Validity in action: state assessment validity evidence for compliance with NCLB. In: Lissitz RW (ed) The concept of validity: revisions, new directions, and applications. Information Age Publishing, Charlotte, NC, pp 173–194
Sinclair TE, Lingo ME, McConnell AE, Martin JE (2018) Consequential validity of the Transition Assessment Goal Generator (TAGG). Manuscript in preparation
Sireci SG (2009) Packing and unpacking sources of validity evidence: history repeats itself again. In: Lissitz RW (ed) The concept of validity: revisions, new directions, and applications. Information Age Publishing, Charlotte, NC, pp 19–37
Skinner ME (2004) College students with learning disabilities speak out: what it takes to be successful in postsecondary education. J Postsecond Educ Disabil 17:91–104
Suk AL, Martin JE, McConnell AE, Biles T (2018) States decrease the age when secondary transition planning must begin. Submitted for publication
Test DW, Mazzotti VL, Mustian AL, Fowler CH, Kortering L, Kohler P (2009) Evidence-based secondary transition predictors for improving postschool outcomes for students with disabilities. Career Dev Except Individ 32:160–181
Thoma CA, Getzel EE (2005) “Self-determination is what it’s all about”: what post-secondary students with disabilities tell us are important considerations for success. Edu Train Dev Disabil 234–242
Wehmeyer M, Lawrence M, Garner N, Soukup J, Palmer S (2004) Whose future is it anyway? A student-directed transition planning process, 2nd edn. Retrieved from http://www.ou.edu/education/centers-and-partnerships/zarrow/transition-education-materials/whos-future-is-it-anyway
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2020 Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
McConnell, A.E., Williams-Diehm, K.L., Sinclair, T., Suk, A., Willis, D. (2020). Transition Assessment and Goal Generator (TAGG): Useful Tool to Assess Non-academic Skills. In: Yuen, M., Beamish, W., Solberg, V.S.H. (eds) Careers for Students with Special Educational Needs. Advancing Inclusive and Special Education in the Asia-Pacific. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-4443-9_18
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-4443-9_18
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore
Print ISBN: 978-981-15-4442-2
Online ISBN: 978-981-15-4443-9
eBook Packages: EducationEducation (R0)