APA RESEARCH PAPER

APA Research Paper

Learning Difficulties among Children Separated from Parent

Purpose of the Study

This study will explore transition planning at a school for students with special needs with emphasis on student and parental involvement.

Objective of the studyThe objective of this study is to show the 'relationship between experiencing separation from parents and having learning disabilities or difficulties in children in a community based sample'. In this study the children who were studied were separated from parents for varying reasons. These reasons ranged from divorce, parental illness, adversities, and child welfare issues (where the child is placed in foster care or with other family members). The researchers in this study tested how parental separation affects the learning potential of children.

Background of Study

Students who are separated from parent have experience poor post-secondary outcomes. These students have more difficulty adjusting to or transitioning into situations outside of the school setting. Many students, with or without parents, struggle with their future after high school. Transitioning from high school to higher education is particularly challenging for students with parents. If functional skills, student involvement, parent involvement, and the service providers' role are considered during the transition process, there would be better success for the student involved. Parent involvement is the key factor that contributes to student achievement and to successful post-secondary transition outcomes.

Need for the Study

It has been found that availability of work based learning and exploration, supportive adults, and an active orientation to the adult world were associated with readiness for transition were able to support the idea that involving students in their educational planning, including their transition plans and decision-making can be extremely beneficial; self-determination, student involvement, and parent involvement were emphasized.

Parents have felt isolated, not valued, treated differently due to their ethnicity, and due to the child's disability their child has been treated differently. In addition to the above, it was also obtained that positive family involvement has positive outcomes and results show significant relation between parents' supportive behaviors and adolescent adjustment.

Problem statement

The problem statement of this study 'understands the implications and problems by children of separated parents'. This study shall cover the extent to which parent and student involvement in transition planning improve the ability of students with learning difficulties in identifying school career interests and goals and the steps necessary to achieve them. Student outcomes on transition competency and self-determination will be examined. Parent attitudes will be reviewed regarding the acceptability, feasibility, and effectiveness of involvement in the transition planning process.

Research Questions

Can parental involvement improve the ability of students with learning difficulties to identify school career goals and the steps necessary to achieve those goals?

What are parents levels of agreement regarding the student's transition goal overall, whether it was realistic for the student to meet the transition goal, and whether the transition goal was based on the student's needs, preferences and interest?

Theoretical framework

Semi-structured interview questions will provide opportunity for discussion of the combination of skills, knowledge, transition model, and beliefs concerning perceptions of ...