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Moving to Further and Higher Education: an Exploration of the Experiences of Students with Special Educational Needs

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Moving to Further and Higher Education: an Exploration of the Experiences of Students with Special Educational Needs Moving to Further and Higher Education An Exploration of the Experiences of Students with Special Educational Needs NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION RESEARCH14 REPORT NO.14 Conor Mc Guckin, Michael Shevlin, Sheena Bell and Cristina Devecchi Moving to Further and Higher Education: An Exploration of the Experiences of Students with Special Educational Needs Conor Mc Guckin1, Michael Shevlin1, Sheena Bell2 and Cristina Devecchi2 1 Inclusion in Education and Society (IES) Research Group, School of Education, Trinity College Dublin 2 Centre for Special Needs Education and Research, University of Northampton A report commissioned by the NCSE 2013 The National Council for Special Education has funded this research. Responsibility for the research (including any errors or omissions) remains with the authors. The views and opinions contained in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Council. NCSE RESEARCH REPORTS NO: 14 © NCSE 2013 National Council for Special Education 1–2 Mill Street Trim Co. Meath An Chomhairle Náisiúnta um Oideachas Speisialta 1–2 Sráid an Mhuilinn Baile Átha Troim Co. na Mí T: 046 948 6400 F: 046 948 6404 www.ncse.ie Table of Contents Foreword .........................................................................................................vii Key Words ........................................................................................................viii Acknowledgements ..............................................................................................viii List of Acronyms .....................................................................................................ix Glossary ..........................................................................................................xi Executive Summary ............................................................................................. 1 1 Introduction ................................................................................... 10 1.1 Study Rationale and Brief ...................................................................10 1.2 Scope of the Study: Limitations............................................................ 11 1.3 Key Concepts and Terminology ............................................................12 2 Literature Review ............................................................................ 14 2.1 Pathways: Making Choices, Access and Progression ..............................14 2.2 Pathways: Making Choices, Access and Progression Policies ...................15 2.3 The National Framework of Qualifications ............................................ 17 2.4 Post-Primary Education ......................................................................18 2.5 Further Education Provision ................................................................19 2.6 Higher Education Provision ................................................................ 20 2.7 Entry into Further and Higher Education ............................................. 20 2.8 Supplementary Admissions Routes to Higher Education........................ 22 2.9 School Guidance and Counselling: Supporting Access, Transfer and Progression ...................................................................................... 23 2.10 Supports Available within Further and Higher Education ........................27 2.11 Participation of Students with SEN in Further Education ........................ 29 2.12 Participation of Students with SEN in Higher Education ......................... 30 2.13 Context, Decision Making and Supports .............................................. 32 3 Methodology ................................................................................................46 3.1 Ethics ............................................................................................... 46 3.2 Literature Review .............................................................................. 47 3.3 Focus Groups .................................................................................... 47 3.4 Surveys, Questionnaire Development, Administration and Response ..... 50 Moving to Further and Higher Education: An Exploration of the Experiences of Students with Special Educational Needs iii 3.5 Interviews: Sampling and Methodological Approach ............................ 50 4 Findings .........................................................................................58 4.1 The Views of Professionals in Further and Higher Education .................. 58 4.2 The Views of Students and School Professionals: Pre-Progression .......... 69 4.3 The Views of Students: Post-Progression ............................................. 83 4.4 Best Practice: Case Examples .............................................................. 96 5 Discussion and Recommendations ....................................................99 5.1 Pathways: Access and Progression ...................................................... 99 5.2 Recommendation on developing national policy ............................... 100 5.3 Resources and Support .................................................................... 100 5.4 Recommendations on facilitating effective access ...............................104 5.5 Recommendations on ensuring the delivery of appropriate support .....104 5.6 Student Experience ..........................................................................105 5.7 Recommendations on enabling students to adapt to new demands ......106 6 Conclusion .....................................................................................107 References ................................................................................................... 108 Appendices .................................................................................................... 116 Appendix 1: Members of the Research Advisory Committee ..................................... 116 Appendix 2: NCSE Request for Tenders Document ...................................................117 Appendix 3: Work Package Overview .....................................................................121 Appendix 4: Questions for Interviews with Nominated Individuals from Statutory and Non-Statutory bodies (WP1) .........................................122 Appendix 5: Questions for Student Focus Groups and Interviews (WP2) ...................126 Appendix 6: Questions for Focus Groups with Educational Professionals from Further and Higher Education Providers (WP2b) ................................. 132 Appendix 7: Questions for Pre-Transition Interviews (Students and School Professionals) (WP3) ........................................................................135 Appendix 8: Questions for Post-Transition Student Interviews (WP5) .......................138 iv Moving to Further and Higher Education: An Exploration of the Experiences of Students with Special Educational Needs List of Tables and Figures Table 1: Fund for Students with Disabilities ...................................................... 26 Table 2: Estimated Number of Students with Disabilities in Higher Education ...... 30 Table 3: Access Survey: New Entrants to Higher Education Indicating a Disability ..31 Table 4: DARE: Eligibility Rates .........................................................................31 Table 5: Eligibility by Category of Disability ........................................................31 Table 6: Professionals Interviewed from Further and Higher Education ............... 49 Table 7: Pre-Transition Sampling and Geographical Locations of Students .......... 52 Table 8: Students by School Type ..................................................................... 52 Table 9: School Professionals by School Type .................................................... 53 Table 10: Choice of Courses and Levels for Transition Pathways Recorded at Pre-Transition Interviews .................................................................... 70 Table 11: Choice of Courses and Levels for Transition Pathways and Final Transition Destinations of Young People in Research Sample at Post-Transition Stage ..................................................................... 84 Moving to Further and Higher Education: An Exploration of the Experiences of Students with Special Educational Needs v vi Moving to Further and Higher Education: An Exploration of the Experiences of Students with Special Educational Needs Foreword The NCSE is pleased to publish this research report on the experiences of students with special educational needs moving on from school to either further or higher education. The report is based on a research study which set out to answer a series of questions about student transitions from school, and access to further educational options beyond school. What kind of support and preparation do they receive? What kind of barriers do they face? What can we do to build on good practice or improve on what is currently in place? To answer these questions, the researchers examined international evidence on these issues and engaged directly with students and professionals working in colleges and support networks throughout the country. The findings are organised around three themes: pathways and making choices; resources and supports; and student experiences. Based on the findings, the researchers have identified a number of recommendations which focus on the need for a national policy on access, transfer and progression to further
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