ERIC ED345477: Vocational Readiness in American Indian Learning Disabled Adolescents.

103 Pages·1992·3.6 MB·English

by  ERIC

DOCUXENT RESUME
EC 301 239
ED 345 477
AUTHOR Dodd, John M.; And Others
TITLE Vocational Readiness in American Indian Learning
Disabled Adolescents.
Northern Arizona Univ., Flagstaff. American Indian
INSTITUTION
Rehabilitation Research and Training Center.
National Inst. on Disability and Rehabilitation
SPONS AGENCY
Research (ED/OSERS), Washington, DC.
PUB DATE
92
CONTRACT
H1331380066
NOTE
103p.
Reports - Research/Technical (143) -- Reference
PUB TYPE
Materials - Directories/Catalogs (132)
MF01/PC05 Plus Postage.
EDRS PRICE
Adolescents; American Indian Education; American
DESCRIPTORS
Indians; Career Choice; Career Development; *Career
Planning; *Employment Potential; High Schools; *Job
Skills; *Learning Disabilities; Postsecondary
Education; School Psychologists; *vocational
Interests; *Vocational Maturity; Young Adults
Montana; Tribally Controlled Education
IDENTIFIERS
ABSTRACT
This study investigated vocational readiness of
adolescent American Indians with learning disabilities by examining
tests and procedures employed by 24 school psychologists in Montana,
assessing American Indian high school students on skills and
interests useful in seeking and maintaining employment, obtaining
work samples and vocational interest data from adults with learning
disabilities who were attending a tribal college that provides
services for students with disabilities, and conducting a telephone
survey to determine postsecondary services available to American
Indians with learning disabilities. The study found that: (1) school
psychologists employed a variety of adaptations to tests and testing
procedures; (2) high school age students with learning disabilities
did not have strategies for seeking jobs and had not made career
choices; and (3) most postsecondary school-age students were able and
decisive in regard to career decisions and BO% showed a high
vocational awareness level. Recommendations are made concerning
psychologists, vocational readiness, and postsecondary services. An
appendix offers a directory of postsecondary services for American
Indians with learning disabilities living in Montana. (Approximately
50 references) (JDD)
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Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made
from the original document.
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Vocational Readiness in American
Indian Learning Disabled Adolescents
U S DEPARTSIENT O EDUCATIOtid
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Jolm M. Dodd
Eastern Montana College
Jerome Fischer
Southern Illinois University
Steven W. Ostwald
Vocational Resources, Inc.
Billings, Montana
Patricia M. Rose
Eastern Montana College
American Indian Rehabilitation
Research and Training Center
Holm Dirmondurr
INSTMFTE m
ARIZONA UNIVERSITY AFPRIVIED PROGRAM
P. 0. Box 5630
Flagstaff, AZ 86011-5630
Disability end Rebbbilisation Research (NIDRR), Cifice of Special Ettecnian tad
Funded by the Neticeuti basal=
an
No. /1133880065.
Rebate" Services, US Department GI Bduenkin, Wasbinton. DC, Grant
Rebabilitation Research and Troisung Center sad no
The =deed cf this repon it the responsibility of the AVW6174711 lad=
enderstmerd by the U. S. Depaelment of Educanon should be e*rrett.
''V`
Adolescents
Vocational Readiness in American Indian Learning Disabled
John M. Dodd
Eastern Montana College
Jerome Fischer
Southern Illinois University
Steven W. Ostwald
Vocational Resources, Inc.
Billings, Montana
Patricia M. Rose
Eastern Montana Colk ge
Center
American Indian Rehabilitation Research and Training
Institute for Human Development
Arizona University Affiliated Program
Northern Arizona University
P. O. Box 5630
Flagstaff, AZ 86011-5630
Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR), Office of Special
Funded by the National Institute on Disability and
Education, Washington, DC, Grant No.
Education and Rehabilitative Services, U.S. Department of
H133B80066
Indian Rehabilitation Research and Training Center
The content of this report is the resrmsibility of the American
should be inferred,
and no official endmsement by the US. Department of Education
TABLE OF CONTENTS
vi
ILLUSTRATION CREDITS
vii
ABSTRACT
I
INTRODUCTION
I
Definitions of Learning Disability
4
Identification
5
Measuring American Indians' Ability
8
Persistence of Learning Disabilities
9
Problem
10
METI-IOD
10
Survey of Psychologists
10
Interviews
10
Vocational Skills of Adolescents
12
Instnimentation
12
Vocational Readiness of College Students
13
Post-Secondary Services
14
RESULTS
14
Survey of School Psychologists
20
Adolescents with Learning Disabilities
10
Subjects
21
Vocational Readiness
21
Strategies
22
Telephone Book Skills
22
Vocational Direction Words
22
Employment Abbreviation
23
Vocational Words
23
Alphabetical Sequencing
A
i
i
23
Money and Dates
23
Health and Safety Signs
23
Employment Signs
24
Help Wanted Advertisements
24
Cost Determination
24
Traffic signs
24
Food vocabulary and recipe directions
24
Measumment
25
Fabric and Food Labels
25
Applications
26
Vocational Preferences (Brigance)
27
Career
28
Vocational Interests (WRIOT)
28
Females
31
Male
32
Teacher Assessments
33
Ratings of attitudes and behavior
33
Responsibility and self-discipline
34
College Students with Learning Disabilities
34
Vocational Decision Making
34
Decision Making Readiness
36
Employment Readiness
37
Self-Appraisal
39
MESA Physical, Vocational and Educational Testing
39
Academic Skills
40
Perceptual/Neurological Tests
41
Manual Dexterity
5
a
42
Finger Dexterity
43
Physical Capacities
45
General Abilities
45
Vocational Interests
47
Vocational Awareness
48
MESA DOT Profile
48
Data Functions
49
People Functions
50
Things Functions
51
Worker Trait Factors
51
Physical Demands
52
Work Conditions
53
GED
53
Vocational Preparation
54
Aptitude Levels
55
Additional Worker Characteristics
56
Temperaments
58
SUMMARY AND DISCUSSION
58
Psychologists
58
Vocational Skills
58
High School Students
59
College Students
60
Discussion
60
Psychologists' Use of Tests and Procedures
61
Vocational Readiness (VDMI)
Physical Capabilities and Vocational Interests (MESA)
61
62
Recommendations
62
Psychologists
Vocational Readiness
63
63
Post-Secondary Services
64
Conclusions
65
REFERENCES
70
APPENDIX
TABLES
15
Table 1
17
Table 2
18
Table 3
19
Table 4
29
Table 5
30
Table 6
31
Table 7
32
Table 8
40
Table 9
41
Table 10
42
Table 11
43
Table 12
44
Table 13
44
Table 14
45
Table 15
46
Table 16
47
Table 17
48
Table 18
49
Table 19
50
Table 20
7
iv
51
Table 21
52
Table 22
52
Table 23
53
Table 24
54
Table 25
55
Table 26
55
Table 27
Illustration Credits
Northern Cheyenne design by L. Bent ly Spang, Eastern Montana
Facing Page 10:
College.
From a photograph "Montana's Big Sky from Inside a Tepee," by
Facing Page 14:
John M. Dodd.
Northern Cheyenne design by L Bendy Spang, Ea.,terii Montana
Facing Page 58:
College.
Crow and Comanche design by Lance Hogan, Eastern Montana.
Page 70:
vi
ABSTRACT
Vocational readiness of adolescern American Indians with learning disabilities was
investigated. An investigation of the tests. modifications and adaptations. and procedures
high
employed IT: school psychologists in Montana was conducted. American Indian
assessed on skills
school students who had been identified with learning disabilities were
samples and
and interests which can be employed to seek and maintain employment. Work
vocational interest data were obtained from adults with learning disabilities who were
A
attending a tribal college which provides services for students with disabilities.
available to
telephone survey was conducted to determine post-secondary services
American Indian people with learning disabilities.
School psychologists employed a variety of adaptations to tests and testing
all school
procedures. Recommendations were made to provide preparation for
American
psychologists about cultural pluralism including inter-tribal differences among
and
Indian people. Pmparation of American Indian persons who are knowledgeable
is recommended.
sensitive to linguistic and cultural differences as school psychologists
investigated.
Job skills of Indian students identified with learning disabilities were
specific vocational
While there was variability in specific skills, it was recommended that
The students did
skills and information required to obtain employment should be taught.
obtaining jobs or for remembering
not reveal possession of particular strategies for
particular strategies
particular parts of conversations. Therefore, it was recommended that
with specific
for locating and obtaining employment should be developed and taught
reference to the reservations or communities in which the students live.
of physical and
Testing of college level Indian students was obtained for the areas
Students' vocational interests
academic abilities related to job readiness and adaptability.
levels of required preparation for
and awareness were assessed as were students' perceived
career readiness.
vii