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ERIC Number: ED577619
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2017
Pages: 115
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: 978-0-3550-8501-3
ISSN: EISSN-
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Occupational Course of Study Diploma Track: A Case Study of Post-School Employment Readiness
Doiel, Patrick W.
ProQuest LLC, Ed.D. Dissertation, Northcentral University
The North Carolina Occupational Course of Study (NCOCS) program is an alternative diploma track with a vocational focus toward post school employment to assist students who would not otherwise graduate with a standard course of study. The purpose of this qualitative single case study was to explore the local causes of low post-school employment rates of NCOCS graduates from parents of graduates, transition professionals, and local employers who have hired NCOS graduates. The problem was students with disabilities who received their degree through NCOCS face challenges of being employed post-school. Data collection involved interviews with 11 participants to explore the local causes of low post-school employment rates of NCOCS graduates. An interview guide and observation rubric were used to collect data from four parents of graduates, four transition professionals, and three local employers who have hired NCOCS graduates. Investigator triangulation was utilized with the use of multiple sources (parent interviews, transition professional interviews, local employer interviews, and observation rubrics) to provide multiple measures of the phenomenon to increase validity and reliability of the data collected ensuring that the findings can be generalizable. Holistic analysis method was used to identify and analyze patterns within this qualitative study. Data were collected using interviews and a rubric to gather nonverbal cues, and analyzed using NVivo11 by QSR data analysis software. Two major and two minor themes emerged for Research Questions 1 and 2: need for better job skills and abilities, need to increase actual and on-the-job trainings, absence of transition guidance, unwillingness of the stakeholders to cooperate. Four recommendations for future research included (a) a qualitative phenomenological study with an increased sample size, (b) a quantitative correlational study to operationalize the two major and minor themes, (c) a multiple case qualitative study focused on educational institutions to improve education regarding job skills and abilities, and (d) a mixed methods study focused on policy makers of education for learners with disabilities. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway, P.O. Box 1346, Ann Arbor, MI 48106. Tel: 800-521-0600; Web site: http://www.proquest.com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml
Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: North Carolina
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A