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The purpose of the current study was to conceptually replicate a multi-indicator construct of economic hardship in a national sample of adolescents with and without disabilities (N = 9,230). Using data from the National Longitudinal Transition Study 2012 (NLTS2012), the latent construct economic hardship was confirmed from six theoretically relevant indicators: household income, parent education level, parent employment status, one- or two-parent household, household internet access, and participation in government-assisted social programs (e.g., Supplemental Security Income benefits, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families). In addition, we examined group differences on the latent mean of economic hardship based on disability category, race and ethnicity, and school and family factors. Mean differences showed significantly lower economic hardship for youth on 504 plans, youth with autism, and for White non-Hispanic youth; whereas there was significantly greater hardship for youth with intellectual disability and youth with emotional disturbance and among youth of color. The implications of the replicated and expanded findings for adolescents with and without disabilities are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we examined college and career readiness (CCR) support for students with and without disabilities using data from the National Longitudinal Transition Study 2012. We selected variables relevant to CCR and focused on the interaction of disability, race and ethnicity, and household income across a range of disability categories, including those on individualized education programs and 504 plans, as well as for those without disabilities. Overall, we analyzed 19 groups of students representing these intersectional characteristics. Our findings show significant differences among the groups with regard to receiving the CCR supports: help with college applications, course-taking advice, interpretation of college admissions exam scores, and arranging college visits. Results show students of color without disabilities from low-income households were 2 times more likely to receive certain CCR supports. In contrast, across all study outcomes, students with disabilities showed different patterns than their counterparts without disabilities and were at a clear disadvantage with regard to access to CCR supports. Findings suggest disparities in schoolwide CCR supports for those with disabilities, which are more pronounced for students of color with disabilities. Implications for secondary transition educators and school counselors are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article suggests a group intervention for student-athlete boys of color who intend to play sports in college. This group is a component of a larger proposed school-wide program, the College Transition Program for Student-Athletes (CTPSA). The CTPSA's suggested group intervention offers school counselors a college readiness option to support the college application process, college adjustment, and transition for boys of color who are student-athletes. We discuss the group's purpose, design, format, curriculum, and expected outcomes and present implications for school counselors and other counseling professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Programs for middle-school boys are needed because data suggests that young adolescent males have problems as they grow and develop. Few gender role interventions for boys have been evaluated or published in the professional literature. Conceptual justification for boy's programs is given using psychosocial theory, gender role transitions, multicultural aspects of masculinity, and positive/healthy masculinity. A short term, inexpensive intervention, "The Boy's Forum," was implemented for middle-school boys who were predominately Hispanic and African American. The Boy's Forum explained the hazards of growing up male (Goldberg, 1977) but also emphasized positive masculinity through empowerment, emotional awareness, and personal problem solving. The use of media, group discussions, empowerment themes, and adult self-disclosure to promote boy's psychosocial growth are described. Evaluation of the program occurred before the program, immediately after the program and three weeks later. Results indicate that a majority of boys attending the Boy's Forum reported that the programming positively affected their thinking, feelings, and to a lesser extent their behaviors over a three-week period. Limitations of the evaluation of this program, recommendations for future research, and the need for future curricular development for boys are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]