The ASAH Study

Making a Difference in the Special Education Community

PLC is a proud member of ASAH, the Association of Schools and Agencies for the Handicapped, a not-for-profit organization of private schools and agencies in New Jersey providing highly specialized services to more than 10,000 infants, children and young adults with disabilities. Founded in 1974 by thirteen private schools, ASAH now serves more than 125 schools. It developed the first code of ethics and standards for New Jersey’s private special education programs and worked closely with the New Jersey Department of Education to develop the current private school code. ASAH continues to advocate for legislative and regulatory changes to improve the quality of life for individuals with disabilities and their families. ASAH is also member of the National Association of Private Special Education Centers, NAPSEC, in Washington, D.C.

ASAH Schools Work: Class of 2000 Post-School Outcomes Report

Most studies of special education have focused on the majority of special education students, those for whom programs are available in the public sector. Information about the 1% of special education students who receive educational services in the private approved sector, often the most impaired of all special education students, remains scarce. To gather information about this small, but significant segment of the special education population, ASAH conducted a study of the students who graduated from its member programs as the Class of 2000.

As a result of this study, ASAH found that 5 years after graduation:

• 91% of participants (215 ASAH program alumni) engaged in Mainstream, Vocational Rehabilitation or Community-Based Program Activity
• Of the 57% (135 alumni) engaged in Mainstream Activity,
• 16% (38 alumni) received degrees or certificates from 4-year or 2-year colleges or trade/technical school
• 37% (50 alumni) are competitively employed or joined the Military

ASAH Results vs. NLTS Results

In the mid-80s, the National Longitudinal Transition Study (NLTS) focused on special education students and their post-school move into mainstream activities. The NLTS showed that secondary school programs can produce post-school benefits for students with disabilities.

However, recent ASAH findings show that students who received special education through specialized learning facilities excelled beyond those who received in-district instruction.

Comparison to NLTS: Alumni with Emotional/Behavioral Disabilities