Our Expectations Matter When It Comes to Postsecondary Enrollment

Published on January 30, 2022

This image appears to be writing some mathematics formulas on a large digital screen.
When we think about predictors of postsecondary enrollment and #DeafSuccess, we often look at grades or academic skills. While these are important factors, the National Deaf Center on Postsecondary Outcomes (NDC) has found that “high expectations for success” are one of five key impact areas for postsecondary attainment. In short, our expectations matter. Having high expectations means believing in a student’s ability to succeed and not believing their opportunities are limited due to being deaf. These expectations do not develop in a vacuum; teachers, parents, and other professionals make a significant contribution to how expectations and beliefs are formed. This idea is further supported by a joint study from NDC and SRI International (SRI), which found that the expectations deaf students and their parents hold can contribute to success. Researchers Paige Johnson and Stephanie W. Cawthon from NDC and Lynn Newman and Harold Javitz from SRI came together to use the National Longitudinal Transition Study–2 (NLTS2) data set to determine the effects of expectations and transition planning goals on postsecondary enrollment of deaf youth. In the article “Parent Expectations, Deaf Youth Expectations, and Transition Goals as Predictors of Postsecondary Education Enrollment,” the researchers found that high expectations held by deaf youth and their parents significantly predicted postsecondary education attendance at 2- and 4-year colleges, as well as career and technical education (CTE) schools. The study had three main findings:
  • Parental Expectations: Deaf youth with parents who expected them to go to postsecondary school or training were more likely to attend.
  • Expectations of Self: Deaf youth who held the personal expectation that they would attend a postsecondary school were significantly more likely to attend.
  • Transition Goals: Deaf youth with a transition planning goal of attending a 2-year or a 4-year college had significantly higher odds of attending.
Want to learn more about expectations, #DeafSucccess, and how to support deaf students as they work towards their goals? NDC can help!
Save This
ClosePlease login

Other News Items

summercamp
March 28, 2024
In The News and Opinions, All News
...For deaf youth, summer camps bring opportunities to build relationships, develop their identities, and strengthen skills for the future. Whether they are day camps focused on coding, virtual programs in the arts, or overnight outdoor adventures, research shows that summer programs can have a significant, positive impact on the lives of deaf youth....
Two person sitting and discussing while looking at a laptop.
March 15, 2024
...If you were unable to join us for our recent webinar, Breaking Barriers: Enhancing Self-Advocacy Skills & Navigating the Grievance Process for Deaf Students, don’t worry! We've got you covered with a recap of the essential insights on navigating college accessibility as a deaf student—especially when the process hits bumps along the way....
Diversity group of people raising their hands.
March 8, 2024
All News, Resources and Initiatives
...More and more people are working in healthcare fields – including deaf people. Our analysis of the American Community Survey reveals that over the last 10 years there has been a 72% increase in deaf students enrolling or majoring in healthcare-related fields (U.S. Census Bureau, 2024)....

Need Help?

Fill out this form to get help from the NDC team.  Can’t see the form below? Click here to contact the NDC team.