Date of Award

1981

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to conduct a follow up survey of the socioeconomic status of mildy mentally retarded individuals no longer participating in selected parish vocational programs in Louisiana. It was important to ascertain the socioeconomic status of these mildly mentally retarded adults for the following reasons. There were expressions of concern about the perceived low poverty-level status, high unemployment rates, and menial type jobs for the mildly mentally retarded. These concerns may be inaccurate or subject to change over time. Therefore, this study was designed to provide comparative data between those individuals that completed their vocational training program and those that did not, utilizing the socioeconomic status of the mildly retarded individuals no longer in selected parish vocational programs. This information would allow special educators and vocational educators of these selected parishes to identify trends as to the nature of jobs, pay range, employment status and other demographic data comparisons involving the age, sex, and race of students no longer involved in their vocational training programs. The following objectives were formulated and used as guidelines to aid in solution of the problem: (1)To determine if significant differences exist between the unemployment rates of mildly mentally retarded adults and their vocational training status. (2)To determine if significant differences exist between the salaries of mildly mentally retarded adults and their vocational training status. (3)To determine if significant differences exist between the occupations held by mildly mentally retarded adults and their vocational training status. (4)To determine if the vocational training status, unemployment rates, salaries, and type of jobs held of mildly mentally retarded adults are associated with selected demographic factors, namely, age, sex, and race. This study was limited to the public parish school systems in the state of Louisiana, specifically, Avoyelles Parish Vocational Center, Winn Parish Special Education Center, Choctaw Vocational Center in East Baton Rouge Parish and the Iberia Vocational Training Center. The population was further limited to mildly mentally retarded individuals terminating their vocational training programs between 1975-1980. A randomized sample of 259 was taken from an approximate population of 790. Statistical analysis revealed the following findings: (1)There was no significant relationship between vocational training status (completed or non-completed) and employment status. (2)There was no significant relationship between vocational training status (completed or non-completed) and salary earned. (3)The majority of the mildly mentally retarded workers held jobs that were service oriented, labor, and semiskilled in nature. (4)There was a significant relationship existing between the age of the respondent and the vocational training status. Data indicated that through all age groups combined, there is a ratio of two respondents not completing their vocational training for each one that does. (5)There was a highly significant relationship existing between the sex of the respondent and the employment status. Data indicated that there are significantly more males employed than females. (6)There was a highly significant relationship existing between the age of the respondent and the employment status. Data indicated that as the age of the respondents increased so did the employment rate. (7)There was a highly significant relationship existing between the type of job held by the mildly retarded worker and the salary earned. As the level of skill for the job increased so too did the rate of pay.

Pages

91

DOI

10.31390/gradschool_disstheses.3615

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