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Outcomes for Peer LINKS: Part I. Benefits for Students with ASD. Access to general education curriculum Learn from peers Natural contexts to learn and practice skills. Benefits for Average and H igh-Achieving Peer Supports. Learn skills by teaching them to others
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Benefits for Students with ASD • Access to general education curriculum • Learn from peers • Natural contexts to learn and practice skills
Benefits for Average and High-Achieving Peer Supports • Learn skills by teaching them to others • Gain skills in organization, responsibility, problem-solving, decision-making and accountability (Carter, Cushing & Kennedy, 2009)
Benefits for At-Risk LINK Students who are Peer Supports “For low-achieving students in particular…the opportunity to practice [academic strategies] through teaching them to others, may also promote increased engagement and learning. Students more readily acquire academic content when they must explain it to others and are responsible for ensuring another’s learning” (Carter & Kennedy, 2006, p. 287).
Data from 4 High Schools in Michigan2012-2013 School-Year Thank you to: Grand Haven High School Haslett High School Hemlock High School Lapeer West High School
Information Provided by School Staff: • School Absences • Semester GPA • Behavior Referrals
Data for ALL Link Students 122 LINK Students
29 LINK Students with Low GPAs GPA less than 2.5 before participating as a LINK
Data for 12 LINK students with Behavior Challenges Each of these LINK students had 2 or more behavior referrals in the semester prior to becoming a LINK
Conclusions • Changes in GPA • More significant for students who had lower initial GPAs • C average to a B- average • Attendance • Reduced absences • Behavior Problems • Reduction in behavior referrals • Reduction in detentions
Peer Support Programs Make a Difference • Benefits are NOT just for students with ASD, but also for peer supports
Final Thoughts Data, Data, Data
Elementary Data Collection • Tracked data on absences for 9 students with ASD at Murphy Elementary before and after implementing a Peer Support program