The High School Experience: What Students With and Without Disabilities Report as They Leave School

Results of the Florida High School Exit Survey collected in 2006–2007 and 2007–2008 are presented. Participants include 2,520 students with and without disabilities across 40 school districts. Survey items cover questions relating to employment, postsecondary education and training, daily living, quality of life, agency connections, in-school experiences, and school-based work experiences. Findings suggest that students with disabilities feel better about knowing what they want to do after high school and how to achieve their goals but have few interactions with friends in social activities. Conversely, students without disabilities feel better prepared academically and participate more with friends in social activities. Identifying these trends can assist districts in improving school programs and student outcomes.