Predictors of Post-School Success

One of the National Secondary Transition Technical Assistance Center's (NSTTAC) tasks is to identify the evidence-based practices for the field of secondary transition. To do this, NSTTAC's review of literature has been conducted in two parts. In Part I, evidence-based practices based on quality experimental (both group and single subject designs) studies were identified. However, while the evidence-based practices were designed to teach students specific transition-related skills, to date, the experimental literature has not attempted to measure the impact of these skills on post-school outcomes. As a result, in Part II, the review was expanded to include rigorous correlational research in secondary transition to identify evidence-based predictors that are correlated with improved post-school outcomes in education, employment, and/or independent living.

In order to systematically evaluate each correlational study, quality indicators for correlational research developed by Thompson, Diamond, McWilliam, Snyder, and Snyder (2005) were adapted for this review. Decision rules for determining levels of evidence for correlational research based on Thompson et al. and the Institute for Education Sciences (IES) were also established. While correlational research examines relationships among variables, it is unable to reveal causality (although in many cases the direction of the relationship is hypothesized). Therefore, according to IES, the evidence provided by correlational research may only be established as moderate levels of causal inference. NSTTAC then added the potential level of evidence. Below you will find more information on predictors of post-school success.

Predictor Categories: Here you will find a table summarizing identified predictor categories, descriptions of each taken directly from the findings in the studies reviewed, their related outcome areas, and levels of evidence.

Predictors by Outcome Area: This table provides a list of the predictors organized by the three post-school outcome areas of education/training, employment, and independent living.

In-School Predictors of Post-School Success: This PDF briefly explains Part II of the NSTTAC literature review and identifies predictors from correlational research. Also

Search Related Materials

• Reference list of correlational articles
• Results Table
• Quality Indicator Checklist: Correlational Studies
• Decision rules of NSTTAC's literature review and identification of levels of evidence
• Procedures for NSTTAC's correlational literature review
• What's Needed in Correlational Research