Variation in Receipt of Pre-Employment Transition Services and Vocational Outcomes for Students With Disabilities

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014 sought to improve employment outcomes through vocational preparation activities called pre-employment transition services (Pre-ETS) for students with disabilities. We analyzed Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA-911) data to examine receipt of Pre-ETS across states, differences among students who received only Pre-ETS versus Pre-ETS and Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) services, and association of services with employment outcomes. On average, states delivered two of the five required Pre-ETS types. Rates of receipt of Pre-ETS, and transition into VR services following Pre-ETS, were below expectations. Only 36% of students were employed when they exited VR. Outcomes varied by race and disability type. Work-based learning services were associated with successful employment, but receipt of this Pre-ETS was low.