ERIC Number: EJ1286546
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2020
Pages: 8
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1098-1608
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Student Development through Involvement: Benefits of Peer Support Arrangements
Scheef, Andrew; Buyserie, Beth
Journal of At-Risk Issues, v23 n2 p1-8 2020
Peer support arrangements are strategies implemented by schools to provide structured opportunities for students without disabilities to work alongside peers with disabilities, often intellectual and developmental disabilities. Although the benefits of this practice for students with disabilities is well documented, there is limited literature describing the impact of the experience on the peers without intellectual and developmental disabilities. To address this, a content analysis of reflection papers written by 24 high school students without intellectual and developmental disabilities was conducted to better understand the benefits of the peer support arrangements. Six themes to emerge from the reflections include: Emotional Benefits, Skill Development, Understanding Disability, Personal Reflection, Comfort with People with Disabilities, and Ongoing Commitment. Of particular interest is the theme Emotional Benefits, which featured student descriptions of how the mentorship experience increased attendance and school engagement. These findings are discussed and implications for practice and future research are provided.
Descriptors: Student Development, Peer Relationship, Students with Disabilities, Intellectual Disability, Developmental Disabilities, High School Students, Educational Benefits, Attitudes toward Disabilities, Skill Development, Emotional Response
National Dropout Prevention Center. 3325 Hwy 81 N, Anderson, SC 29621. Tel: 864-642-6372; e-mail: ndpc@dropoutprevention.org; Web site: http://dropoutprevention.org/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: High Schools; Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A