Human Development Institute University of Kentucky Kentucky Youth One Year Out (YOYO) Former Student Interview 28 Statewide Results
Study Overview Kentucky Youth One Year Out (YOYO) Former Student Interview 28 The Kentucky Department of Education/Division of Exceptional Children (KDE/DECS) Kentucky Post School Outcome Study (KyPSO) is lead by the Human Development Institute at the University of Kentucky (HDI/UK). The KyPSO enables the KDE/DECS to meet the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) requirement that every State monitor the "percent of youth who had IEPs, are no longer in secondary school and who have been competitively employed, enrolled in some type of postsecondary school, or both within one year of leaving high school (2 U.S.C. 1416(a)(3)(B))". The Kentucky Youth One Year Out (YOYO) Former Student Survey is conducted each spring by a random sample of Kentucky Local Education Agencies (LEAs) or school districts who, in turn, follow up with every student who received special education and left school one year earlier. Because of district size, Jefferson and Fayette County schools are in the sample every year. The 28 YOYO sample included the following 31 school districts: Ashland Independent; Bellevue Independent; Bourbon County; Caldwell County; Campbellsville Independent; Carroll County; Covington Independent; Elliott County; Fayette County; Fleming County; Fulton Independent; Grant County; Hart County; Henderson County; Jackson County; Jefferson County; Kentucky School for the Deaf; Lewis County; Livingston County; Logan County; Madison County; Marion County; Meade County; Owsley County; Paducah Independent; Raceland Independent; Scott County; Silver Grove Independent; Trigg County; Trimble County; WestPoint Independent. LEAs in the random sample attempted to follow up with each of their former students (FS) who had exited during, or at the end of, the 26-27 school year. Of the 527 possible FS, 359 surveys were actually completed. This represents a response rate of 68%. The sample of FS who completed the YOYO was validated by the National Post School Outcomes Center (NPSOC) Sampling Calculator and found to be representative of all former students who could have completed the interview with the exception of overrepresentation of minority (non-white) former students. Please note that, with the exception of the pie chart, all graphs reflect actual raw numbers of former students in each category. The results presented within this report are a summary of findings from across these school districts. 2
How Did You Leave High School? 3 273 25 2 15 1 5 3 5 3 5 Diploma Certificate Age Out Drop Out Other N= 343 Former Students (FS) could choose only one option. FS were asked how they had exited high school one year previously. The majority, 8%, reported having finished with a standard High School Diploma while.9% reported having finished with a Certificate of Attainment..9% also reported having left school by dropping out. 3
Did Former Student Qualify for Free or Reduced Lunch? 19 2 18 16 14 111 12 1 8 6 39 4 2 Yes No Don't Know N= 34 FS could choose only one response. 56% of former students reported having received free or reduced lunch during their final year of high school. 4
Post School Employment Status 5
Are you currently working for pay? 175 172 17 165 16 158 155 15 Yes No N= 33 FS could choose only one response. In response to the question, are you currently working for pay? 172 (52%) former students responded that they were while 158 (48%) said they were not. 6
If working, for how many hours per week? 9 82 8 7 65 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 12 <1 Between 1 & 2 Between 2 & 4 4 or more N= 166 The most frequent response from former students who reported working, was that they worked 4 hours or more per week (49%), followed by those who said that they worked between 2 and 4 hours per week (39%). 7
Would you like to work more than you currently are? 97 1 9 8 7 6 46 5 4 3 2 1 Yes No N= 143 Most former students who reported being employed (68%) reported that they did not want to work anymore than they currently are. 8
If you'd like to work more, why don't you? 18 17 16 14 12 11 1 9 8 6 4 2 My Health will not Allow it My boss won't give me more hours 1 It would effect my SSI benefits Scheduling issues Don't Know Other N= 38 FS could choose only one response. Of those former students (FS) who did say they would like to work more, most responses fell within the other category. These other reasons included that the work being done was seasonal, that they were still in training for their job, or that there just were no additional jobs to be had. 9
What is your typical hourly wage? 12 1 12 8 6 4 2 7 19 25 6 1 N= 16 Most former students (64%) reported earning between $5.16 and $1. an hour. 25 former students, or 16%, reported making between $1.1 and $15. an hour. 1
Which of the following benefits do you receive through your job? 6 56 5 4 3 38 3 31 33 21 2 1 1 Health Insurance Dental Insurance Paid Vacation Paid Sick Leave Retirement Partner Benefits Flexible work schedule FS could choose all that applied. Of the former students who reported working, 56 stated that a flexible work schedule was a benefit of their employment. 38 (17%) of these former students reported receiving health insurance through their job and 31 (14%) reported receiving paid sick leave as a benefit. 11
How satisfied are you with your job? 8 71 7 6 5 5 4 31 3 2 1 6 7 1- Hate my job 2- Dislike my job 3- Somewhat like my job 4- Like my job 5- Love my job N=165 Former students, who reported working, were asked to rate their job satisfaction on a 5 point scale, where 1 is hate my job and 5 is love my job. 43% responded that they liked their job, a 4 on the 5 point scale. This group was followed by those who said they loved their job (3%), a 5 on the 5 point scale. 12
Do you hold more than one job? 16 151 14 12 1 8 6 4 2 11 1 No Yes, I hold two jobs Yes, I hold more than two jobs N=163 Most former students held only one job. 13
If you are not currently employed, were you ever since leaving school? 94 1 9 8 7 6 6 5 4 3 2 1 Yes No N=154 Most (61%) former students who reported being unemployed at the time of the interview also reported having never worked during the year that they had been out of high school. 14
If you are not currently competitively employed, what are the reasons? 3 25 2 15 1 5 29 7 18 3 7 7 9 13 11 FS could choose all that applied. The number one reason for not being currently employed was being enrolled in postsecondary education (28%). This was followed by being unable to find a job (17%) and being unable to work due to health reasons (13%). 15
Enrollment in Postsecondary School/Training Program 16
Are you in any type of school or training program now? 229 25 2 15 1 1 5 Yes No N=329 Most former students (7%) reported not being enrolled in any type of school or training program at the time of the interview. 17
If so, what type of school? 45 4 35 3 25 2 15 1 5 21 42 8 3 2 N=76 The majority of former students who reported being enrolled in a postsecondary school or training program said they were enrolled in a community/technical, 2 year college (55%). 28% reported being enrolled in a 4 year college/university. 18
Are you a Full or Part Time Student? 7 63 6 5 4 22 3 2 1 Full Time Part Time N=85 Most of those enrolled in a postsecondary education/training program reported being full time students (74%) vs. part-time students (26%). 19
To what extent do you agree with the following statements? 6 54 52 55 5 4 3 2 1 19 I feel that my high school courses and teachers have prepared me for the post-secondary coursework I am currently taking. 23 I am very happy with my social life at this post-secondary school/training program. 21 7 4 5 7 1 3 1 I feel like I am a part of this postsecondary school/training program. Agree a lot Agree Don't disagree or agree Disagree Disagree a lot Most former students (64%) who reported being enrolled in a postsecondary education/training program felt that the courses and teachers they had in high school prepared them for their postsecondary education experience (N=85). Most (63%) also felt very happy with their social life within the postsecondary education setting (N=83). And, finally, most former students (65%) enrolled in a postsecondary education/training program felt that they were a part of that program (N=84). 2
Have you contacted the Disability Services Coordinator at your School? 48 5 45 37 4 35 3 25 2 15 1 5 Yes No N=85 The majority of former students enrolled in postsecondary education/training (56%) reported they had not contacted the Disability Services Coordinator at their school compared with 43% who said they had. 21
Where do you live when your school or training program is in session? 6 5 51 4 3 2 1 5 16 4 5 12 N=93 Most former students enrolled in postsecondary education/training reported living at home with their parents (55%) followed by those who reported living off campus with roommates/friends (17%). 22
Since leaving high school, were you ever in any type of school or training program? (asked only of those not currently in school ) 196 2 18 16 14 12 1 8 6 4 2 Yes 27 No N=223 Of those former students who reported not being currently enrolled in a postsecondary education/training program at the time of the interview, the majority also reported never having been enrolled during the one year since high school exit. 23
What is the reason you are no longer enrolled in post-secondary education? 16 15 14 12 1 8 6 6 4 2 Completed Program 3 It was too hard 2 Couldn't manage my schedule Didn't like being away from home 1 1 Too expensive Too much time 3 Health Reasons Other FS could choose all that applied. Most responses (48%) for this item fell within the other category and included former students reporting problems with attendance; deciding not to attend, and getting a job as reasons for no longer being enrolled in a postsecondary education/training program. This was followed by former students stating that they had completed the program in which they had been enrolled (19%). 24
Was one of your high school goals to go on to post-secondary education? (if not enrolled) 12 12 1 87 8 6 4 2 Yes No N=27 Most former students, who were not enrolled, said that going on to postsecondary education/training had not been one of their high school goals (57%). This is compared to 42% of former students who were not enrolled but said postsecondary education had been a high school goal. 25
If going on to Post Secondary Education was a high school goal, what is the reason(s) you did not go on to post-secondary education? 17 17 18 16 14 12 1 8 6 4 2 4 2 Did not get accepted Couldn't find supports I needed (e.g. housing, transportation) Too expensive Got a good job FS could choose all that applied. Former students reported two major reasons for not going on to postsecondary education/training, it was too expensive or they got a good job. 26
Post School Leisure/Recreational Activities 27
During the last few weeks, how have you spent your free time? 2 18 16 14 12 1 8 6 4 2 144 182 36 37 17 45 48 78 43 47 21 17 78 33 37 7 FS could choose all that applied. 51% of former students said that, over the last few weeks, they spent their free time visiting friends and 4% reported spending their free time visiting family members 28
In which of the following types of groups do you participate? 25 2 27 15 1 5 35 3 12 2 2 4 1 7 FS could choose all that applied. The majority (58%) of former students reported not being involved in any kind of organized group. The type of group with the highest number of FS participating was Religious Group with 1% reporting involvement. 29
Post School Knowledge and Use of Agency Supports 3
What has been your level of involvement with the following agencies? 16 14 12 1 8 6 4 2 Heard of it but not haven't used it Used it in the past only Currently using it Haven't heard of it and want to know more about it Don't Know Former students were asked about their involvement with agencies that may provide support. Most former students reported not knowing about Independent Living Centers, Supported Employment, Sheltered Employment, Day Treatment, or the Commission for Children with Special Health Care Needs. This was followed by former students responding that they had heard of the agency but had not used it. For example, close to 1 former students reported having heard about the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) but had not used it; close to 4 former students reported having used OVR in the past, only; approximately 18 reported currently using the services of OVR; and about 3 former students said they had not heard of it but wanted to learn more about it. 31
Post School Life Satisfaction 32
14 How Happy are you with your Life Right Now? 138 117 12 1 8 6 38 4 2 1 7 1 (Very Unhappy) 2 (Unhappy) 3 (Neither happy nor unhappy) 4 (Happy) 5 (Very happy) N=31 FS were asked to rate their level of happiness on a 5 point scale where 1 is very unhappy and 5 is very happy. 45% of former students reported being happy and 38% reported being very happy with their lives at the time of the interview. 33
Overall Former Student Post School Engagement 34
Youth One Year Out (YOYO) Former Student Interview 26-27 School Leaver Respondent Data Since exiting high school, have you been competitively employed, enrolled in post-secondary education, both or neither? Neither 19% Both 19% Worked Only 51% Enrolled Only 11% Indicator 14 Total Positive Engagement = 8.6% (% worked only + % enrolled only, + % both/ % worked only + % enrolled only, + % both, + % neither) 8.6% of former students contacted reported having either worked, been enrolled in postsecondary education and/or both, at some point during their first year out of high school. 51% of former students reported having worked, only, since exiting high school one year earlier. 11% reported having been enrolled in postsecondary education, only, since exiting high school one year earlier. 19% of former students reported being both employed and enrolled in postsecondary education at some point during their first year out of high school. 19% of former students reported being neither employed ore enrolled in postsecondary education at any point during their first year out of high school. 35
Overall Post School Engagement 27-28 Comparison Category 27 28 Difference Neither 19% 19% % Both 23% 19% -4% PSE, only 3% 11% +8% Work, only 5% 51% +1% Working, Enrolled, or Both 8.8% 8.6% -.2% Neither former students who reported having neither worked nor been enrolled in postsecondary education/training at any point during the first year of school exit Both former students who reported both working and being enrolled in postsecondary education/training at some point during the first year of school exit. PSE, only former students who reported being enrolled in postsecondary education/training (PSE) at some point during the first year of school exit. Work, only former students who reported being competitively employed at some point during the first year of school exit. 36
For more information about the Kentucky Post School Outcome Study (KyPSO) and the findings of this report, please contact: Beth Harrison, Ph.D. Human Development Institute University of Kentucky Research Campus 1525 Bull Lea Road, #16 Lexington, Ky. 4511 b.harrison@uky.edu 859-519-7375 Tony LoBianco, Ph.D. Human Development Institute University of Kentucky Mineral Industries Building Lexington, Ky. 456-51 Tflobi1@uky.edu 859-257-7379 Also, please visit www.kypso.org for more information. 37