Profiles of Resilience: Students with Disabilities in Wisconsin's Youth Apprenticeship Program.

This study evaluated the quality of the learning experiences, accommodation and support strategies, and post-school outcomes of 40 students with disabilities who participated in Wisconsin's Youth Apprenticeship (YA) programs. The YA program is a rigorous 2-year school- and work-based learning program for high school juniors and seniors. Currently 10% of student participants have disabilities. Data analysis focused on tracing the personal and program factors that contributed to either program completion or dropping out, especially the concept of resilience. The study found 11 qualities of youth apprentices with disabilities who demonstrate resilience (and increased likelihood of program completion). These include: (1) candid acknowledgement of one's disability; (2) thorough understanding of one's disability and one's strengths; (3) the ability to articulate needed supports and accommodations; and (4) the ability to put compensatory strategies in practice. The study also identified eight qualities of youth apprenticeship programs that foster resilience in this population including: (1) quality work site placements that provide adequate rotation through occupational competencies; (2) access to knowledgeable and experienced mentors; (3) classroom instruction that integrates academic material and career and technical studies; and (4) available, appropriate accommodations and supports. Results support the view of resilience as an interplay between personal characteristics and specific social contexts and practices. (Contains 22 references.) (DB)