Curtis William Chandler, Thesis Supervisor James Ford Risley, Thesis Honors Advisor
Keywords:
Journalism Special Needs Education Autism
Abstract:
This entire journalistic project including videos, audios, and pictures could be found on http://commmedia.psu.edu/news/preview-story/a-life1
In the 2016-2017 school year 24,819 students aged out of special education programs in Pennsylvania public schools. More than half of them graduated with a high school diploma and 2,284 went to college or trade schools. (Special Education Statistical Summary 2016-2017)
In today’s economy, it’s difficult for students with a bachelor’s degree to find jobs and make a basic living. For special education students who are unable to graduate from high school with a diploma, the barriers to success are much greater. They may never be able to secure a minimum wage job or live independently.
What is the best way to help these people?
In this project, we will follow two families with special needs children who have aged out of public schools or face the prospect of aging out in the near future.