A Pathway to Change: Building Student Success Systems to Support Students with Disabilities

Students with disabilities graduate at lower rates than their nondisabled peers. Of the 49.4 million public-school students in the U.S., 13% receive services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act1 (IDEA; U.S. Department of Education, 2022), a law that provides a free and appropriate public education to children with disabilities2 ages 3–21.

There are many reasons students drop out of high school, and it is often a combination of factors. One of the most common reasons is a need for more engagement or interest in school. If students do not feel connected to what they are learning or struggle to learn, they may become disengaged and lose motivation. Another factor is learning challenges, such as an identified specific learning disability or a lack of support at home. With the necessary resources and support, these challenges can become manageable and lead to staying in school. Addressing the underlying causes of dropout rates and providing targeted support to help students stay engaged and succeed in school is important.

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